Corey Crawford likes the new view from top perch

Corey Crawford's feeling more relaxed.

More at ease. More himself.

And it's really showing on the ice and in the postgame box scores.

After Robin Lehner was traded to Vegas last week, Crawford became the Blackhawks' slam-dunk No. 1 goaltender, and it should remain that way for at least the next couple of weeks.

After practice Monday at Fifth Third Arena, Crawford admitted sharing time with Lehner probably affected his play at times this season.

"It's hard when there's two older guys that are No. 1s to share time and to be at the top of your game," Crawford said. "I mean Lenny played great and even for him it was tough not to get more ice time. It's a hard situation.

"You can look at it two ways: It's good for your team, but it's also tough too."

Crawford went 7-13-2 with a .906 save percentage and 3.09 goals-against average in his first 23 appearances.

Since then the veteran has started 12 of the Hawks' last 18 games, going 6-5-1 with a .932 save percentage and 2.39 GAA. That stretch includes stopping 74 of 78 shots in victories at Tampa Bay and Florida late last week, as well as a sensational 31-save effort in a tough 2-1 loss Feb. 23 at Dallas.

The only rough outing the past month came at St. Louis when Crawford was hung out to dry numerous times in a 6-5 setback Feb. 25.

Overall, Crawford is reading and reacting better, especially on one-timers where he has to go post to post to keep the puck out of the net.

"When you're not playing you feel like it's a rush to get saves and get into games," he said. "Now it's just sit back and read plays a little bit more."

Said coach Jeremy Colliton: "He's been excellent, coming up with big saves when we needed them. ... I'd have to really work to go back to find one where we didn't like his play. So it's a big boost for our group."

It's a group that just completed a rough month in which 11 of 14 games were on the road. Now the Hawks have 11 of their next 15 contests at the United Center, beginning with tilts against Anaheim Tuesday and Edmonton Thursday.

There are some relatively easy opponents down the stretch, with the Ducks (26-31-8), Red Wings (15-47-5), Sharks (28-33-4), Senators (23-31-12), Sabres (29-28-8), Kings (25-35-6) and Canadiens (30-28-9) all either under .500 or currently struggling. There are also divisional matchups against Minnesota (twice) and Nashville.

The Hawks (29-28-8) probably need to go something like 12-5-0 down the stretch to have any prayer of reaching the postseason, but just the fact that it's possible is a good thing for Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Strome, Dominik Kubalik, Kirby Dach, Adam Boqvist, and other young players.

"That's the only way you're going to get better is if you play in the big games," Crawford said. "If you're getting beat every time by wide margins you're not getting better. ...

"If you're in tight games and games you need to win to stay alive, that's the way you improve."

He said it:

"Should be your family, right? Kids. Wife. Is that a trick question?"

A smiling Jeremy Colliton on what he misses most about Chicago when the Hawks are on the road.

Scouting report

Blackhawks vs. Anaheim Ducks, 7:30 p.m. at United Center

TV: NBCSCH • Radio: WGN 720-AM

The skinny: Anaheim (26-31-8) is 2-4-1 over its last seven games, although those victories came against Edmonton and Pittsburgh. … Anaheim, with just 163 goals, is the third-lowest scoring team in the league. Ryan Getzlaf (13G, 27A) and Adam Henrique (24G, 15A) are the leading scorers. … The Ducks have been shut out five times and held to 1 or 2 goals 29 times. … Anaheim's power play is 7-for-54 (13.0 percent) over the last 23 games. The Hawks' PP is 6-for-23 (27.3 percent) over the last six games. … Anaheim defensemen Cam Fowler and Hampus Lindholm are both out with injuries. … David Backes made his debut for the Ducks during a 3-0 loss to the Devils on Monday after being acquired from Boston. Backes, who spent most of his career with St. Louis, has 1 goal and 2 assists in 17 games this season. … The Hawks have dropped both games to Anaheim this season, one in overtime.

Next: Edmonton Oilers, 7:30 p.m. Thursday at United Center

- John Dietz