Chicago Blackhawks: Not having Corey Crawford is devastating
The Chicago Blackhawks would be in big trouble if Corey Crawford isn’t able to play.
The Chicago Blackhawks are already underdogs in their play-in series against the Edmonton Oilers because the Oilers were a good hockey team and the Hawks weren’t. Well, the Blackhawks were invited into the 24 teams “return to play” tournament and they made it by a very slim margin. Some people see them as a team that can pull an upset but it looks a lot less likely if Corey Crawford is unable to play.
The National Hockey League had a new collective bargaining agreement come out recently and they are now able to refrain from saying what is wrong with people when they are sick or injured. Every team in the league is using the term “unfit to play” if someone is absent from practice. Corey Crawford was deemed unfit to play for some reason.
Well, some people are wondering if Crawford tested positive for COVID-19. That is none of our business, but it is something that should worry fans as far as their play on the ice. If he did test positive, that means he is gone for a minimum of 14 days. If he comes back but isn’t in game shape, the Oilers could have had their way with the Hawks by the time he is ready.
Chicago traded Robin Lehner to the Vegas Golden Knights at the trade deadline so they will have one of Collin Delia or Malcolm Subban to start for them if Crawford can’t go. Trading Lehner was smart at the time because the Hawks weren’t going anywhere near the playoffs. Now, they might regret it but nobody saw a global pandemic giving the 2019-20 Blackhawks a second chance.
The Oilers are such a fast and skilled team. Players like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are two of the five best offensive players in the world. They are going to be going against one of the least effective defenses in the league so bad goaltending would really sink the Hawks.
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The Hawks would have a great goaltending advantage if Crawford is healthy but if he’s not, Edmonton takes that advantage along with the rest of their roster advantage. Hopefully, Crawford has something minor and he is going to be able to suit up on August 1st. If not, a chance at the draft lottery’s number one overall pick might be the consolation prize.