Hawks make it 4 in a row
Corey Crawford might not have been feeling at his best, but the rookie goalie was there when the Blackhawks needed him most Sunday night.
Crawford didn't allow a goal in the shootout for the second straight time as the Hawks scrapped their way past the Phoenix Coyotes 4-3 at the United Center.
That's 4 victories in a row for the Hawks, who are trying to put together that long awaited winning streak at the most important time of the season.
“I think we're a lot happier with the way we've been playing,” defenseman Duncan Keith said. “I still think there's more there and another level we can get to, but we need to keep getting points in games.”
Crawford also stopped all three shooters in the Hawks' previous shootout win last Sunday against Pittsburgh that started this four-game winning streak.
In the 13 attempts he has faced this season in shootouts, Crawford has been beaten only twice.
“I just try to close the gap and pick up the same speed the player is going,” Crawford said. “By the time he makes a move, whether he shoots or dekes, you want to be at the top of your crease.”
The Hawks sit ninth in the Western Conference despite their 4 straight wins but can move back into a playoff spot with a victory tonight at Minnesota.
“We've started something positive here and we want to make sure to sustain it and carry on,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said.
There was a black mark on Sunday's win. Defenseman Jordan Hendry had to be helped off the ice early in the third period with what appeared to be a left leg injury after Shane Doan crunched him into the end boards.
“We'll see in the morning how he presents,” Quenneville said.
A serious injury to Hendry would put even more pressure on general manager Stan Bowman to acquire at least one more defenseman before today's 2 p.m. trade deadline.
Twice the Hawks blew 2-goal leads, something that has become almost commonplace on home ice this season.
The Hawks were up 3-1 midway through the second period when penalties to Jake Dowell and Marian Hossa led to a pair of Phoenix power-play goals by Keith Yandle and Martin Hanzal.
The Hawks did regroup and play a solid third period, holding the Coyotes to 5 shots on goal.
“We know we didn't play our best hockey in the second, but we knew it just came down to the last 30 and finding away to win,” said captain Jonathan Toews, whose 2 first-period goals gave the Hawks a 2-0 lead.
Two of the goals Crawford allowed came on screen shots. Adrian Aucoin's long slap shot early in the second period passed by three Hawks before beating Crawford.
“I didn't feel the greatest tonight moving laterally side to side,” Crawford said. “I don't think I was as sharp as usual, but I felt good in the shootout.”
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