Can the Blackhawks win with any goaltender?

So was this the plan Blackhawks fans?

Backup goaltender Scott Darling would rescue the team in Game 1 of the Western Conference playoffs against the Nashville Predators because the starting goalie, Corey Crawford, wasn't getting it done.

Now, as I said in Wednesday's Daily Herald video, the Hawks' chances of advancing would start and end with the success of Crawford.

I know hockey fans will say, "Duh, Mike …" because it usually does fall to the goaltender of any hockey team.

That's true, but history tells us the Hawks won two Stanley cups with two different goaltenders in the last five years - first with Antti Niemi in 2010, and then Crawford in 2013.

I guess the question stands then: can the Blackhawks, who are capable of playing stellar defense, win with another goaltender than Crawford?

Maybe, but Crawford is the starter and for him to be pulled so early is concerning. Winning the game as they did in overtime was a gift.

Maybe it was to shake up the team, or may it just came down to coach Joel Quenneville saying Darling, for this game at least, could do better than Crawford.

Crawford is a resilient guy and a good goaltender, so I'm hoping and expecting a bounce back effort from him. If he hits skids, the Hawks will have an issue.

Let's just hope I'll be talking and writing about a fabulous victory Friday by the Blackhawks in Game 2.

My NBA playoff predictions:

I am happy to say the NBA finals are finally here. First, I want to give kudos to Derrick Rose, who came back to play when I honestly thought his season was over.

I was wrong so I want to make sure I get that out there. The Chicago Bulls will be pushed a little by the Milwaukee Bucks in round one, but I see the Bulls taking this series 4-2.

The Atlanta Hawks will dominate the pathetic Brooklyn Nets 4-1, and the Cleveland Cavaliers, with a well-rested LeBron James, will knock off the Boston Celtics 4-1.

Last but not least, I have the Washington Wizards, after a tongue lashing by Paul Pierce, with a mild upset by knocking off the Toronto Raptors 4-3.

In the Western Conference, I like the San Antonio Spurs over the Los Angeles Clippers in stunning fashion 4-1. The Clippers have some internal squabbling going on, and even though they are a pretty good team, the Spurs are a championship team and should prevail.

I'm looking at the Dallas Mavericks, led by coach Rick Carlisle, Dirk Nowitzki and Monta Ellis, with their new addition Rajon Rondo, to upset the Houston Rockets 4-2.

In a yawn fest, undervalue will beat overvalue as the Portland Trail Blazers edge out the Memphis Grizzlies 4-3.

I also expect the Golden State Warriors to beat New Orleans 4 to 1.

Let's all enjoy the first round.

Program notes:

Follow me on Twitter@ north2north, and listen to Fox Sports Daybreak with Andy Furman and myself from 5-8 a.m. Monday through Friday on Fox Sports radio, and check me out on iHeart radio or Foxsportsradio.com.

• North's column appears each Tuesday and Friday in the Daily Herald, and his video commentary can be found Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at dailyherald.com. For more, visit northtonorth.com.