Chicago Blackhawks: Corey Crawford stands on head to save series for now

The Chicago Blackhawks survived to play another day, and it’s all because of goalie Corey Crawford.

You probably saw the numbers by now – Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford stopped 48 of 49 shots from the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Yes, that Corey Crawford, the one who is often seen as one of Chicago’s most underappreciated athletes.

Simply put, the Hawks would be booking tee times at social-distance compliant golf courses right now if not for Crawford. Despite giving up a few soft goals throughout the first three games, he’s been excellent all series, and he’s been strong throughout the Hawks’ time in the Edmonton playoff bubble.

All after shaking off about with COVID-19 himself.

The Hawks are outgunned by a deeper, more physical Vegas team that is a heavy Stanley Cup favorite, and it shows. Not only that, but Chicago is young. Yes, the Core Four of Duncan Keith, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Crawford remain, and while all four have life remaining in their games and fuel left in the career tank – that even goes for the 37-year-old Keith – they aren’t the only Hawks that matter.

That’s part of why the Hawks are in a 3-1 hole. While both the aging starts and the young talent have shown flashes, and the Hawks have at times looked like they belong on the same ice as Vegas, there have been other moments in which the talent disparity is clear. Almost all of Game Four was such a moment.

Alex DeBrincat did start to find his game with a flurry of shots Saturday, and Brandon Saad has had chances that remind you why the Hawks brought him back. Dominik Kubalik has looked OK, as well. But the even-strength goal scorers Sunday were fourth-liner Matthew Highmore and pesty winger Drake Caggiula. DeBrincat did finally light the lamp with an empty netter, and Chicago fans finally let out the breath they’d been holding.

Olli Maatta has also played well in the series, and Ryan Carpenter had a strong Game 4. But despite these positives, the Hawks have looked very much like the eight seed against a one, even in the latter parts of Game Two and for most of Game Three, which they might have won Dylan Strome not found iron in overtime.

As for the Core Four, only Crawford really stands out, though neither Keith nor Toews has been bad to this author’s eye. Kane has shaken off a slow start and factored in all of Saturday’s goals in a tough Game 3 overtime loss, but he hasn’t been as dangerous as he can be.

Which brings us back to Crawford. With a young team finding its legs, a young coach that occasionally makes baffling decisions, the other stars not quite taking the reins, and facing a deep and talented opposing roster that attacks in waves, Crawford stood on his head. He had help from active sticks – Chicago’s defense assisted him a few times – but he was under assault all afternoon and held firm.

An assault it was – the Golden Knights’ fourth line was as dangerous as the team’s talented top six, meaning their lineup was a threat from top to bottom. And the ice was definitely tilted, as Vegas outshot the Hawks 49-25. Still, thanks to Crawford, the Hawks had their first playoff win, not counting the play-in round against the Edmonton Oilers, since the spring of 2016. To put that in perspective, the current White House occupant hadn’t yet been elected.

Sometimes it appears this young Hawks team can play with the possible future Cup winners. Sometimes they look lost against a better, deeper team. But one thing has been consistent throughout the series – and that’s Crawford.

He missed most of training camp, and then came in and played well against Edmonton. Now, save for some soft goals, he’s almost certainly been the Hawks’ MVP in this series. He’s definitely been their most consistent player.

It’s not fun to put extra pressure on a goalie during playoff time, but the Hawks’ inconsistency in front of him and the Golden Knights’ talent and depth means that Crawford may have to continue the heroics if the Hawks are to achieve the unlikely and advance. Unless the Hawks can possess the puck more, stay in the offensive zone longer (the number of one-and-dones in Game 1 was brutal), put more pucks on net, and solve the one-two goaltending punch of Robin Lehner and Mark Andre-Fleury, Crawford will have to carry them.

It would be nice to see the Hawks control a game, score in bunches, and build the kind of lead and/or play the kind of defense that would allow Crawford to have a relatively relaxed night. Especially Tuesday, coming off a day off following back-to-back games, one of which featured a few minutes of overtime.

If that doesn’t happen, the Hawks may find themselves ever more appreciative of the most underappreciated big-name athlete in this fine burg. If Crawford comes up big again (and again, and again) and the Hawks advance, or even push the series to six or seven games, the Blackhawks and the team’s fans may finally appreciate just how good Crawford is.