Following last night’s dramatic 4-3 double-OT win over Nashville -- in which backup Scott Darling stopped 42 shots in relief of Corey Crawford, who was yanked after allowing three goals -- ‘Hawks head coach Joel Quenneville piqued interest by saying he wouldn’t name a Game 2 starter until today.
Just a short while ago, Q named his starter, and it wasn’t much of a surprise -- Crawford will be back in goal on Friday, which Quenneville called an “easy” choice.Coach Q says it was an easy decision. “He’s been our strength all year long... Look forward to him getting back in the net tomorrow.”
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 16, 2015
While Darling was outstanding in Game 1 -- Quenneville called it “one of the greatest relief performances you’re going to see,” -- Crawford has been Chicago’s unquestioned No. 1 for the last four seasons, started 57 games this year and posted solid numbers (32-30-5, 2.27 GAA, .924 save percentage).
And so he goes back in.