Hawks’ Crawford knows what he needs to be ready

Blackhawks No. 1 goaltender Corey Crawford estimates he needs about three or four full exhibition games to be ready for the regular-season opener Oct. 7 at Dallas.

Crawford won’t be playing in Pittsburgh on Thursday night, so he likely will make his first preseason start Friday against Washington at the United Center.

Crawford said head coach Joel Quenneville and goalie coach Stephane Waite have pretty much mapped out the games he will play in the preseason.

“They’re pretty smart about it,” Crawford said. “They know I need some games to get the timing and the speed.”

Unlike past training camps when Crawford has been battling for a roster spot, he’s now the No. 1 looking to fine tune his game for when it counts.

“It’s more just trying to get the pace of the game and trying to get back,” Crawford said. “It takes a little time just tracking pucks at the start. Last year right at the start I felt good, I was seeing everything and I had the speed. It seems like this year it took a couple days just to get the timing.

“Those intersquad games, I wasn’t getting a lot of action, so it was hard to get into it.”

Change it up:Apparently Joel Quenneville isn#146;t the only one who can split up Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.In a move designed to help the media flow in the dressing room, Toews and Kane no longer will sit side by side as they have since they were rookies.#147;They basically told me it was better for the media, but I#146;m happy to be away from him,#148; joked Kane. #147;I don#146;t really care where I sit.#148;With Toews and Kane sitting next to each other, the media swarm around them after most games and practices was intense.#147;If someone had to move it was going to be him,#148; Toews said. #147;I#146;m keeping my stall.#148;Game day:Alexander Salak and Ray Emery will split the goaltending duties again Thursday night at Pittsburgh in the second preseason game. This time Salak starts.Emery and Salak also split Tuesday#146;s 4-2 loss to Edmonton with each having their strong moments.#147;Both our goalies were fine in net,#148; coach Joel Quenneville said. #147;Emery was sharp in the first period. I thought he made some key saves.#148;The only veterans going on the trip are Bryan Bickell, Daniel Carcillo, Michael Frolik, Nick Leddy, Sami Lepisto, Sean O#146;Donnell, Brett McLean and John Scott.Quenneville said Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa won#146;t play in the next three exhibition games but likely would skate in the last three.Impressive winger Brendan Saad is among the rookies set to play against the Penguins.The 6 p.m. game will be broadcast on WGN 720-AM and televised by the NHL Network.Not ready yet:Despite a strong showing against Edmonton, center Mark McNeill was sent back to his Prince Albert junior team Wednesday along with fellow first-round pick from last June, Phillipe Danault (Victoriaville).