No goalie controversy as Hawks start Turco

Before Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville announced who would start in goal Friday in Columbus, rookie Corey Crawford was asked if he was up for starting his third game in a row.

“Yeah ... yeah, I love being in the net, Crawford said. “The more I play I think the better I get.

Not going to happen. Yet.

Quenneville opted instead to go with veteran Marty Turco and in the process also quelled any goalie controversy, regardless of how mini it may be after just four games.

“Marty's fine. Marty's number 1, Quenneville said. “I think our goaltending is fine. We've had good goaltending and they've given us a chance to win. Crawford (on Wednesday against Nashville) gave us a chance to win, did what he had to do.

Crawford is hoping he'll get plenty more chances to do what he has to do as he battles Turco for time between the pipes.

“I think Marty and me are trying to push each other to be better and pushing each other for playing time, Crawford said.

And that's fine by Turco.

“If both of us can get on the right path and playing well and giving these guys all the confidence in the world, maybe that will help turn things around or start sustaining it, Turco said. “That's the ultimate goal for both of us. We're in it together.

Scuffling off with Buffalo:

Less than a week after Niklas Hjalmarsson's hit on the Sabres' Jason Pominville resulted in a concussion for Pominville and a two-game suspension for the “Hammer, the two teams will meet again, this time at the United Center on Saturday.

Should we expect fireworks?

Hard to predict, according to Joel Quenneville.

“In those type of games, a lot of time there's buildup or there's a little bit of ammunition from prior games, it's tough to refabricate the emotion or paybacks, Quenneville said. “It's tough to forecast that, tough to predict. We'll be ready to play.

Campbell's progresso:

Defenseman Brian Campbell's rehab on his sprained knee is coming along just as scheduled.

“He's progressing at the rate that we envisioned, coach Joel Quenneville said. “He's working hard to get himself back on the ice. He's spent a lot of time in the gym and working out to get himself back out there as quickly as possible.