Pang believes Blackhawks' Crawford the real deal
DENVER — Corey Crawford's winning streak is over, but the attention could just be starting for the Blackhawks' rookie goaltender.
When Crawford lost 2-1 in overtime Saturday in San Jose on a Ryane Clowe goal he would love to have back, it snapped his personal winning streak at seven games.
No Hawks rookie goalie had won seven straight since Darren Pang in 1988, and Pang has been paying close attention to what Crawford has been doing the last several weeks.
Pang knows goaltending and he knows the NHL as an analyst for TSN in Canada and on the St. Louis Blues' television broadcasts, and he sees nothing but good things in the 25-year-old Crawford.
“Last year I said on TSN a guy to watch was Corey Crawford, because he was capable of leading that team,” Pang said. “I said it again this year. I said it would start as Marty Turco's team but that I wouldn't be surprised if Corey Crawford took it over.”
While that hasn't officially happened yet, at least in public comments from Hawks coach Joel Quenneville, Crawford has started seven of the last nine games, going 6-0-1 along the way, and is inching toward claiming the No.1 job.
Even as his personal winning streak ended, there was little not to like about Crawford on Saturday as he battled to get the Hawks a hard-earned point in a tough building.
“I thought he played great,” Quenneville said. “You could argue that might have been his best game. He was the reason why we got a point. He made two or three saves that looked like they were empty-netters.
“His anticipation was there and he was sharp and big. He definitely was a factor in us getting a point.”
Pang likes so many things about Crawford, particularly the way the rookie battles and finds different ways to stop the puck.”
“Obviously he's big, but he doesn't necessarily do the same thing in every situation,” Pang said. “He doesn't go down and put his arms to the side and give players a chance to beat him. He'll butterfly if he has to and he'll battle in front if he has to.
“A lot of guys who are butterfly goalies play the percentages,” which means taking away the bottom of the net, “but Corey doesn't always do that. He has earned this chance to be an NHL goaltender. He has paid his dues and I'm a big believer in that.”
Only Quenneville knows who starts tonight's game against the Avalanche. It might be time to give Turco his first start since Dec. 3, but then again the Hawks are in a desperate battle for points and Crawford remains hotter than hot despite a loss.
“I really like the fact that Marty Turco has been the ultimate pro through this,” Pang said. “Some veterans might be a bit sour, but Marty has been a pro to Corey and has helped him.”
Crawford remains all about the team and has continually downplayed his recent accomplishments whenever asked about them.
“It's not about me,” Crawford said. “A lot of effort has gone in from everyone.”
Blackhawks game day
<p>Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center, 8 p.m.</p>
<p><b>TV: </b>Comcast SportsNet</p>
<p><b>Radio:</b> WGN 720-AM</p>
<p><b>Game notes: </b>The Avs return home following a long eastern road trip that ended with impressive wins at Atlanta and Washington. Colorado is 27th in the NHL defensively and 29th in penalty-killing but third on the power play behind Tampa Bay and the Hawks. Peter Mueller (concussion), T.J. Gilardi (wrist) and Chris Stewart (hand) are out; Milan Hejduk (groin) is questionable.</p>
<p><b>Season series:</b> Avs lead 1-0</p>
<p><b>Next: </b>Colorado Avalanche at the United Center, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday</p>