Blackhawks goalie Crawford playing spectacularly since returning from concussion
Shortly after Corey Crawford went on injured reserve last season, many of us began asking his Blackhawks teammates: "Do you play any differently when he's not in net?"
The "no, of course not!" responses were not surprising, but the best answer came from Tommy Wingels when he told me: "We'd be confident with YOU in net."
Good one.
But the fact is the Hawks are a completely different team with Crawford in the blue paint.
"Having Crawford in the pipes - now you see what a difference it means to have that," Adam Burish said on the NBCSCH postgame show after the Hawks beat the Rangers 4-1 on Thursday. "No soft goals sneaking in."
What this means is a 2-0 lead stays 2-0 after a miscue. Or it stays tied at 1-1. Or a 2-1 deficit doesn't become 3-1, then 4-1 and maybe 5-2.
Here's the truly stunning part, though: After being out of action for nearly 10 months, Crawford ranks third in save percentage (.946) and goals-against average (1.52). In his last three starts, the Hawks have won 4-1, 3-1 and 4-1.
Three goals allowed in three games.
Who saw this coming? Certainly not Jonathan Toews.
"I never would've imagined him playing at the level he's playing after being off for around 10 months," Toews said. "Talking with (Cam Ward) and (Anton Forsberg), they couldn't believe how he just steps in and seems to find pucks, and (is) just calm and relaxed and does his thing out there."
How about coach Joel Quenneville? Did he see this coming? Is he surprised?
"Surprised?" he responded after the Hawks improved to 6-2-2. "Let's put it this way: We're all excited.
"You never want to look too far ahead as a coach, so you're (saying), 'Let's just see how he is (and) let's see how he handles it one game at a time.' And at the end of every game he's played we all say, 'Wow, that was a pretty impressive game by the Crow' and not looking any further than that. …
"Outstanding start for his season and for our team. Last year he got off to a tremendous start (as well). We know his importance."
Since the beginning of last season, the Hawks are 19-10-2 with Crawford in net. Without him, they are 20-31-10. Over that time, Crawford ranks No. 1 in save percentage and goals-against average (.931, 2.18) among goalies with at least 25 appearances.
What's incredible is how well Crawford is tracking shots, reading plays and smothering pucks. One of the biggest reasons the Hawks allowed 55 shots on goal to Tampa Bay last week was because pucks constantly bounced off Ward and back to Lightning players. Rebound after rebound led to shot after shot.
With Crawford, that doesn't happen. It's often shot, save, stoppage of play.
Even after such a long layoff.
"Me and Jimmy (Waite) did a lot of work before getting back into games to make sure I'm feeling good on the posts," Crawford said. "It's those little plays that make a difference; not over-sliding and being out of position. Just trying to be patient and be in the right spot.
"But our guys have been playing great."
Thanks, in large part, to the return of a confidence-inspiring goalie playing at the top of his game.
• Follow John on Twitter @johndietzdh.