Blackhawks' Turco might start Sunday
Marty Turco, who hasn't started since Dec. 30, might get one of the games this weekend against Nashville, according to Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville.
Rookie goalie Corey Crawford is coming off consecutive shutouts and is expected to be in the net Saturday night against the Predators at Bridgestone Arena.
That would leave Sunday's rematch at the United Center possibly falling to Turco.
“We'll see,” Quenneville said. “There's a chance he could play.”
Turco played well in the three starts he made late in December with Crawford sidelined by the flu.
“Obviously he'd like to be playing more, but at the same time I think he's very respectful of Corey's success and how he's playing,” Quenneville said. “He's doing everything he can to keep his game in order when he gets the chance to play because things can change quickly in our business and he knows that.
“His approach has been great, knowing he's got a chance to be a part of it. I think his mind-set is where we want it to be and like it to be. You have to commend him how he's handled it.”
That's that:
With rookie Nick Leddy becoming a regular contributor on defense, the fact he will play in his 10th game on Saturday at Nashville is a non-story.
Once Leddy hits 10 games it counts as one year of service time off his contract, which is of no concern to the Hawks right now.
“We certainly like his three games since he's been back here,” Joel Quenneville said. “He's useful in a lot of ways. We think his upside in the NHL is definitely high end so we'll go on here without making any announcements. We like the way he has played.”
Positive sign:
The Hawks' penalty-killers passed a big test Wednesday against a good Colorado power play. The Hawks were 4-for-4 in kills in their 4-0 win and haven't allowed a power-play goal in two games.
“We made a few adjustments, making sure we're all on the same page, and it's been good lately,” goalie Corey Crawford said.
Said Joel Quenneville: “I thought we were much better (Wednesday) in all areas that we try to reinforce: being more predictable, be it off their entries or going to their points or pressuring or clearning. It's only one night, but that's a good power play, too. It's a good night but we need several of them to be where we want to be.”