Pro Sports

Goaltenders in spotlight for Blackhawks-Oilers series

Posted July 28, 2020 7:00 am

By JAY COHEN

FILE - In this Feb. 23, 2020, file photo, Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford blocks a shot from Dallas Stars defenseman Esa Lindell (23) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas. Corey Crawford missed the start of training camp with the Blackhawks after he tested positive for COVID-19, leaving the veteran goaltender very little time to prepare for the high-scoring Edmonton Oilers. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade, File) The Associated Press

For all the offensive stars between the Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers, big megawatt scorers like Patrick Kane and Connor McDavid, it is the goaltending that bears watching heading into their qualifying series.

Corey Crawford missed the start of training camp with the Blackhawks after he tested positive for COVID-19, leaving the veteran goaltender very little time to prepare for high-scoring Edmonton. Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen are in the mix for the starting job for the Oilers, but both goalies could play in the postseason.

Game 1 of the best-of-five series is Saturday in Edmonton.

'œThere's been a lot of lead-up going to this point. ... I think guys are excited about this opportunity, this chance to beat a very good hockey team,'ť Smith said.

While Edmonton hasn't named a Game 1 starter just yet, the 38-year-old Smith has a long history with coach Dave Tippett and 24 career playoff appearances, compared to none for Koskinen. Smith had a 2.95 goals-against average and .902 save percentage in 39 games this season; Koskinen finished with a 2.75 GAA and .917 save percentage in 38 appearances.

Smith also was in net for Tippett when the Coyotes eliminated the Blackhawks in the 2012 playoffs, making 39 saves in a 4-0 victory in the clinching Game 6.

Smith said that series 'œseems like 100 years ago now.'ť

'œObviously, a team that has had a lot of experience in the playoffs,'ť he said of the Blackhawks. 'œWon Stanley Cups, so it'll be a good test for our group.'ť

Crawford was in net when Chicago won the Stanley Cup in 2013 and 2015. He is 48-37 with a .919 save percentage and 2.28 goals-against average in 87 career playoff appearances.

But he just returned to practice on Saturday after missing the start of training camp while he was in quarantine.

'œObviously it's a priority for us to get him ready as soon as we can,'ť coach Jeremy Colliton said. 'œThe sooner we can integrate him into the group and get back to his normal routine that he would normally be under I think the better for everyone.'ť

The 35-year-old Crawford had been playing well when the NHL was shut down because of the pandemic, recording a .930 save percentage in his last 17 games. The Blackhawks are carrying four goaltenders on their 31-man postseason roster, but Crawford is expected to start Game 1 against the Oilers.

How he performs against McDavid and company with such a short preparation window remains to be seen.

'œThere's not much time, but I've never really been someone that skates a ton in the summer anyway,'ť Crawford said. 'œBut I feel like it takes a few practices just to get your legs under you. I mean it doesn't really matter what you do in the gym.

'œI think a little bit more the cardio part, the endurance in the legs, after I get a few practices that will be a lot better.'ť

WHAT'S UP DACH?

Kirby Dach was one of the Blackhawks' best players during their training camp, centering a line with fellow rookie Dominik Kubalik and former Oilers winger Drake Caggiula.

The 19-year-old Dach, who was selected by Chicago with the No. 3 overall pick in last year's draft, had eight goals and 15 assists in 64 games this season. The Fort Saskatchewan native could have a big series in his return to Alberta.

HOME SWEET HOME?

Edmonton is playing in its own building after the NHL selected Rogers Place for one of its hubs for the league's return from the pandemic. But the Oilers will be considered the visitors for Games 3 and 4 of the qualifying round - albeit with no fans in attendance for the entire series.

'œWe're in the same boat as all the other teams,'ť Tippett said. 'œWe're in our dressing room one day, and then out of it the next day. We tried to prepare for that during training camp. We've had some scrimmages, players dress out of different dressing rooms around. You just try to deal with it.'ť

SPECIAL TEAMS

Led by McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, a finalist for the NHL MVP award, the Oilers had the top power play in the league this season, converting 29.5% of their chances. They also killed 84.4% of their opponents' power-play opportunities, ranking second behind San Jose.

Even with the gifted Kane on its top unit, Chicago had one of the worst power plays in the league at 15.2%. But its penalty killers finished in the top 10 at 82.1%.

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Jay Cohen can be reached at https://twitter.com/jcohenap

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More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

FILE - In this Feb. 26, 2020, file photo, Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mikko Koskinen (19) knocks the puck away from the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Las Vegas. While Edmonton hasn't named a Game 1 starter for the series against the Chicago Blackhawks just yet, Mike Smith has a long history with coach Dave Tippett and 24 career playoff appearances, compared to none for Koskinen. (AP Photo/John Locher, File) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Dec. 8, 2019, file photo, Buffalo Sabres' Jimmy Vesey (13) is stopped by Edmonton Oilers goalie Mike Smith (41) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta. While Edmonton hasn't named a Game 1 starter just yet for the series against the Chicago Blackhawks, the 38-year-old Smith has a long history with coach Dave Tippett and 24 career playoff appearances, compared to none for Mikko Koskinen. Smith had a 2.95 goals-against average and .902 save percentage in 39 games this season, and Koskinen finished with a 2.75 GAA and .917 save percentage in 38 appearances. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP, File) The Associated Press

The Chicago Blackhawks arrive in Edmonton, Alberta, Sunday July 26, 2020. The NHL will officially resume play on Saturday, Aug. 1, after being on pause since March because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

Edmonton Oilers goalie Mikko Koskinen (19) makes the save during a Colby Cave Memorial Fund scrimmage in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday July 25, 2020. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

Edmonton Oilers' Alex Chiasson (39) checks Oscar Klefbom (77) during a Colby Cave Memorial Fund scrimmage in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday July 25, 2020. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

Edmonton Oilers goalie Mikko Koskinen (19) makes the save as Kailer Yamamoto (56) and Matt Benning (83) go for the rebound during a Colby Cave Memorial Fund scrimmage in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday July 25, 2020. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

Edmonton Oilers' goalie Mikko Koskinen (19) makes a save during a Colby Cave Memorial Fund scrimmage in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday July 25, 2020. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

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