Blackhawks’ Crawford remains confident after benching

Though his backside remains on the Blackhawks bench for the time being, goalie Corey Crawford’s head seems to be in a better place than it was just a week ago after getting pulled early in a win over Toronto.

“I’m well rested,” Crawford said with a smile. “I’m fine, I’m still confident.”

While Crawford sits, Ray Emery will make his fourth straight start Friday against the Rangers.

“Razer’s playing well,” Crawford said. “If he doesn’t come in there and play well all year, we might be in a tough spot in the standings.”

Now Crawford is in a tough spot, standing by and waiting for a chance to get back between the pipes. Is he confident that coach Joel Quenneville will give him another shot?

“I can’t tell you that,” he said. “I have no clue what Joel is thinking, so the best I can do is just work hard in practice and wait fo my chance again.”

Smith’s season over::

Ben Smith, who had a pair of goals in 13 games with the Hawks this year, will undergo surgery next week after sufferring a right hip labral tear and a hernia.

“Ben Smith will undergo endoscopic surgery next Thursday to repair both issues,” Blackhawks head team physician Dr. Michael Terry said in a statement. “We anticipate a full recovery in approximately 16 weeks.”

Smith, 23, ranks third on the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs with 15 goals, including a team-high 8 power-play goals.

He’s baaack:

Former Blackhawks enforcer John Scott, who was traded to the Rangers on deadline day, said that despite his recent tussle with New Jersey’s Cam Janssen, it’s been difficult finding dance partners.

“It’s frustrating,” Scott told the Rangers website. “I kind of want to show the team what I can do here, but it’s not really happpening.”

Hawks rookie Brandon Bollig wasn’t too surprised to hear of Scott’s predicament but would be willing to go if the circumstances were right Friday night.

“I’m sure most people are kind of intimidated by him,” Bollig said. “But if it happens, it happens. If the time is right ... I’m sure he’d be willing.”

After further reveiw:

Joel Quenneville on Thursday changed the diagnosis on defenseman Sami Lepisto, who injured his leg in Tuesday’s loss to St Louis.

Initially, Quenneville said Lepisto’s status was day-to-day.

Now?

“Sami is not just day-to-day; he’s out for a bit here,” Quenneville said. “We’ll say indefinitely on him.”