In recent times without Corey Crawford, the Chicago Blackhawks have leaned heavily on Scott Darling.
It appears Crawford is nearing a return to the lineup after missing the last few weeks following an appendectomy. That’s good news for the Blackhawks. But with Crawford out, Darling has been solid, if not impressive in that time and he proved that again Sunday.
Starting for the second time in as many days, after playing the night before against the St. Louis Blues? No problem, apparently.
Darling made 33 saves and the Blackhawks ended San Jose’s winning streak at four games with a 4-1 victory. That’s five wins in a row for Chicago.
“We talked about it. It was a good discussion,” Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said of playing Darling in back-to-backs. “At the end of it, he came back with another win so we didn’t want to change the pattern.”
Scott Darling of the @NHLBlackhawks earned his fifth straight win and improved to 10-2-2 overall (2.22 GAA, .927 SV%, 1 SO). #SJSvsCHI pic.twitter.com/4148s6t3r7
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 19, 2016
Once again, the Blackhawks rallied after falling behind.
Once again, it was another big third period that helped them to victory.
Duncan Keith finally scored his first of the season, tying the game in the second period. Chicago then scored three times in the third period, with goals from Ryan Hartman, Vinnie Hinostroza and Patrick Kane.
Game over.
Not only did the Sharks lose the game, but forward Melker Karlsson left in the third period and didn’t return after colliding with a Chicago player near the corner.