Hawks' Crawford has confidence in Waite
Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville is leaving it up to goalie coach Stephane Waite to help Corey Crawford get his game back on track.
“I haven't really talked to Joel that much,” Crawford said. “He's left it to Steph to work with me and talk with me. He has confidence in Steph to talk with us and work with us as goalies.”
It's common on nearly every team that the head coach leaves it up to the goalie specialist to handle the position. The list of former goalies who have become head coaches in the NHL in recent years is short and includes only Scott Gordon with the Islanders, Glen Hanlon in Washington and Ron Lowe in Edmonton.
Quenneville is comfortable letting Waite help get Crawford straightened out.
“It's tough to say whether it's trying too hard or confidence or feeling that puck a little bit more confidently,” Quenneville said. “Everybody wants to do well and how you go about it is part of it as well.
“Something like this gets your attention and you've got to work your way through it and find different ways of how you're going to get through it. That's why him and Steph work well. I think it's just a matter of time where he'll recapture that confidence.”
Crawford admits he is bothered by how his play as been largely inconsistent the last month.
“Yeah, it's bothering me,” he said. “I don't like losing. I don't like being pulled, but the worst thing I can do is start putting everything on my shoulders. I've just got to keep doing what I've been doing my whole career.”
Lepisto get chance:
Sami Lepisto was in the lineup on defense Thursday against the Islanders for the first time in nine games.
Lepisto has appeared in only eight games all season and just three in the last 15.
“We've got eight defensemen and obviously only six can play,” Joel Quenneville said. “Two guys on the back end (sitting out) is a lot of guys. You've got to keep practicing hard. Sometimes your opportunities are based on play or based on injuries.
“Certainly I have to commend (Lepisto) on his attitude. He's working hard in practice and doing what he has to do to get in there.”
With Lepisto playing, Sean O'Donnell and John Scott were scratched on defense along with winger Bryan Bickell.
Playing through it:
It could be worse for Dave Bolland.
The center hasn't been able to practice much because of the foot injury he suffered blocking a shot on Nov. 8 in St. Louis, but at least he hasn't missed any games since Nov. 13.
“It still hurts a bit in games, but that just comes with nagging injuries and things that happen. You play with it,” said Bolland, who was able to practice Wednesday. “On the ice it does affect some of the sharpness with some of the little things, but the maintenance and taking care of it is the big thing.”
Bolland might not get the chance to properly rest the foot until the Hawks are off for four days at Christmas.