Crawford gets stingy after 2 quick goals

BUFFALO, N.Y. Blackhawks rookie goalie Corey Crawford could have folded after allowing 2 goals in the opening three minutes Monday night at HSBC Arena.

Making his first start of the season, Crawford was beaten by Drew Stafford at the 14-second mark on the first shot he saw, then again by Derek Roy at 2:43.

But Crawford gave up only 1 more goal the rest of the way, making 32 saves in the Hawks' 4-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres.

“I was pretty nervous after the first 2 goals, but we bounced back pretty good, Crawford said. “I just kept battling and stuck with it and kept trying to play my game. You've got to play 60 minutes and it worked out tonight.

Crawford made at least 2 huge saves in the third period with the Hawks clinging to a 1-goal lead.

“We told him just keep playing, it's a long game, teammate Jonathan Toews said. “Those 2 goals, in the end, didn't really matter. We came back and made a game of it and obviously he was there every step of the way. There was nothing he could do on those 2.

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said the decision to start Crawford had nothing to do with the 2 soft goals Marty Turco allowed in the 3-2 loss to Detroit on Saturday.

“Marty's not struggling, Quenneville said. “When I look back to the start of the year we basically targeted this game (for Crawford).

“We want to get him in early. He had a real good training camp and deserves a chance to play. He looks like he's ready for a challenge and I think he can help us.

This is Crawford's first chance with the Hawks to play regularly after spending the last five seasons in the minors.

“The focus is more on my game and stopping pucks more than that, Crawford said. “If I do that then proving to them will come with it. I'm just getting prepared and do what I do. Just square up and be big and react after that.

The Hawks got a big game from another one of their kids in Monday's win with 19-year-old defenseman Nick Leddy scoring his first NHL goal in the second period to make it 2-2.

Leddy's slap shot deflected off the skate of Sabres defenseman Shaone Morrisonn past goalie Ryan Miller.

“At first I thought (Tomas) Kopecky or Toews tipped it in, Leddy said. “It's definitely perfect. We got a win and I got my first goal, but the main focus is definitely on the win.