Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Crawford likely to return for Chicago late next week

crawfordcap

James OBrien

The Chicago Blackhawks announced that Corey Crawford is likely to play on either Thursday (Jan. 2) at the New York Islanders or Friday (Jan. 3) versus the New Jersey Devils.

Crawford, 28, has been sidelined since Dec. 8 with a lower-body injury.

Generally speaking, he has reacted solidly to his big, new contract. That’s especially true of his record (17-6-3), as his individual stats (.907 save percentage, 2.47 GAA) aren’t quite staggering.

Crawford’s loss has been Antti Raanta’s gain, as Chicago hasn’t really missed a beat with an unproven Finn in net.* The 24-year-old is 9-1-2 with a .915 save percentage and hopes to win his 10th game as Chicago faces the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.

Even though Raanta is impressing, it obviously doesn’t hurt to get Crawford back. If anything, this might push out Nikolai Khabibulin, who is recovering from injury issues of his own right now.

* - You may remember another relatively unknown Finn named Antti (Niemi) doing pretty well for Chicago in the past, after all.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins