Goalie Darling earns another start for Chicago Blackhawks
Scott Darling - and not teammate Corey Crawford - will get the final start before the all-star break when the Blackhawks host Winnipeg at the United Center on Thursday.
In Darling's past two starts, he has stopped 69 of 70 shots, 30 of which came in a 1-0 shutout at Boston last Friday. Crawford, who will play in the All-Star Game at Los Angeles on Sunday, has allowed 18 goals in his past five starts, including 4 in a 5-2 loss to Tampa Bay on Tuesday.
"Darls earned the start based on how well he played the other day in Boston," coach Joel Quenneville said after Wednesday's practice. "Crow's last game was something that gives us some consideration based on Darls' last game. Put it all together, and that's where we're at."
Darling is 12-4-2 on the season with a .928 save percentage and a 2.21 goals against average. Crawford numbers: 18-11-3, .918, 2.57.
Quenneville wasn't critical of Crawford and believes the veteran is "positionally square, and he's technically sound as you're going to get."
Asked if Crawford might need a break instead of playing in the All-Star Game, Quenneville simply said: "It'll be a fun opportunity for him. It'll be a good weekend. Great being a part of it and take advantage of it and move forward from it."
Kruger 'likely' in:
Coach Joel Quenneville said center Marcus Kruger will "likely" play against Winnipeg on Thursday. Kruger, who centered the fourth line at practice Wednesday, has missed 11 games with an upper-body injury.
"Being out there today (in) a regular practice was good for me," said Kruger, who added he could have played Tuesday if Dennis Rasmussen (sick) was unable to go. "I prepared for that, but that was good that 'Ras' recovered and could play the game. But same thing (Thursday) - I'm ready if he wants to play me."
Rasmussen, who is not feeling well and missed practice, is questionable to face the Jets, Quenneville said.
Jet lag:
The Hawks are 0-3-0 against Winnipeg this season, having scored just 2 goals.
"They played us well a couple years ago, as well," Joel Quenneville said. "They check well. They're hard to play against."
Quenneville said the coaches emphasized getting to the "hard area" more against the Jets in the last game - a 3-1 loss at the United Center on Dec. 27.
"We did a little bit better job, but not good enough," Quenneville said.