Blackhawks' Crawford supportive but not happy

Corey Crawford admitted it. He wasn't happy about being benched.

"It was pretty frustrating at first," the Blackhawks' goalie said Monday. "I want to be in the net and I want to play. Always did and I always will, but that's not my job right now."

Nope, that job belongs to 26-year-old rookie Scott Darling, who stopped 35 shots during the Hawks' 4-2 victory over Nashville in Game 3 of their best-of-seven quarterfinal series. That effort was good enough to earn him another start for Game 4, which is Tuesday at the United Center.

Crawford's frustration is understandable to Joel Quenneville, but the coach also said the veteran is likely handling it better than he would have earlier in his career.

"It's a competitive business. As a goaltender you want the net, you want to play," Quenneville said. "He's proven that he's able to do it, win a Cup, and he's won a lot of big games for us. …

"This is the first time we've made a goalie change over a long stretch of games. He'll be more than fine. I'm sure he'll be excited to get back in there and being ready when he gets that chance."

One thing that Darling said he appreciated after Sunday's win was how Crawford didn't shut down and was there for him in such a stressful situation.

"He's been awesome to me and like a mentor for me, teaching me tons," Darling said. "He's had tons of experience at this level and I've had very limited. I can't thank him enough for little life lessons and goalie lessons he's shared with me."

Despite the demotion, Crawford understands not only what Darling is doing for the Hawks but also what he has had to overcome just to find himself in the NHL.

"Scott's an awesome guy," Crawford said. "He's gone through a lot to get here and he's been playing awesome. How can you not feel good for him? He's been great and (I'll) just keep pushing him to be at his best."

Record, man:

Scott Darling set a franchise record, going 83 minutes, three seconds before allowing his first playoff goal. The streak was broken when Nashville's Mike Ribeiro scored 15:19 into the first period of the Hawks' 4-2 Game 3 victory.

Darling's .975 save percentage and 0.94 goals-against average are by far the best of the young postseason.

Asked if his cellphone blew up with messages Sunday night, he said: "I had to turn it off for a little while so I could enjoy dinner with my dad."

Grip and rip:

Brent Seabrook scored the Hawks' final goal of Game 3 on a Jonathan Toews pass from behind the Nashville net. It was the fourth straight postseason the defenseman has managed at least 1 goal.

"I thought it was nice to contribute," Seabrook said. "It was a great play by Tazer. I think we've tried that play 10 or 15 times the last month or two. Shot it and worked."

He said it:

"Can't say enough good things about him, but for now I hope he stays quiet. We're friends off the ice but no friends on the ice. The last thing I ever want to see him do is do well against the Blackhawks. We'll have some laughs about it later in life."

- Scott Darling on Predators star Filip Forsberg, his former roommate and teammate with the Milwaukee Admirals

Tip-ins:

Pekka Rinne's .898 save percentage is 13th among goalies who have started two or more playoff games. … Nashville center Mike Fisher, who has missed all three games with a lower-body injury, practiced Monday. … Teams with a 2-1 series lead have prevailed 69 percent of the time.