Chicago Blackhawks: Corey Crawford plays well despite loss

The Chicago Blackhawks didn’t win the hockey game despite Corey Crawford playing very well and giving them a chance to win.

The Chicago Blackhawks played the second game of their four-game homestand on Tuesday night. The Calgary Flames came in looking for a big win and they got it. They played a very tight game with the Hawks and ended up winning 2-1. They put up a good fight against a team with loads of talent in Calgary but they weren’t able to get the offense that they needed.

Corey Crawford played very well in this game. He made some spectacular saves throughout the game. He made 26 saves on 28 shots. Both goals he surrendered were at even strength as he made five saves on five shots shorthanded. The Blackhawks netminder also helped the team kill off two five on three power-plays which helped keep them in the game. The team certainly didn’t play bad but they were just unable to score enough to help Crawford earn a win.

This start went to Crawford as Robin Lehner works to come back from a minor injury. Crawford has been good this year but not as good as Lehner so this stretch giving him a little confidence should go a long way. If he continues to make those sparking saves which allow his team to have a chance to win, this is an elite duo.

Dominik Kubalik scored Chicago’s goal in the final minute of the first period. Then, Calgary forward Elias Lindholm scored 14 seconds into the second period to take out all of the momenta that the Hawks had from their goal to end the first period. Then, Lindholm scored his second of the game and 18th of the season just four minutes later. That seemed to take the life out of them for a bit but they did make a big effort to tie the game late. They ultimately weren’t able to tie it but they did get a flurry of shots in the final minute or so.

The Blackhawks have the struggling Nashville Predators in town on Thursday. This is an important game for the two teams that sit at the bottom of the Central Division. They are both still within striking distance of the playoff line which just shows how good this division is. This loss to the Flames will sting but they need to get right back up and play hard vs the delicate Preds. It could prove to be a very entertaining game between two desperate teams. Hopefully, the Blackhawks are able to get their offense going a little more than this game against the Calgary Flames.