Back-to-back starts no big deal for Chicago Blackhawks' Crawford

With the Blackhawks needing to win almost all of their remaining games, nobody can take a night off.

And that includes goaltender Corey Crawford, who played Saturday afternoon in a 4-2 loss at Colorado and then again Sunday night in a 2-1 overtime victory over the Avs at the United Center.

It was the first time Crawford played in back-to-back games since Nov. 4-5, 2017.

Goalies don't normally play on consecutive days, but Crawford made it seem like it was no big deal afterward.

"We recover pretty quickly," he said. "We're used to traveling and playing again. It was fine."

The only goal Crawford allowed came when Colorado had a two-man advantage in the second period.

"He's always been one of our best - if not our best - player," said defenseman Duncan Keith, who scored the game-winner 1:23 into overtime.

"He gives everybody confidence. When Corey's in the net we know that we're going to have a chance to win. He's going to make those big saves. He made them last night and he made them again tonight.

"There's not too many easy ones that ever go in through the course of the season on him."

Philipp Grubauer also started both games for Colorado. He stopped 40 shots Sunday and has allowed just 8 goals in his last seven games.

Hayden sits again:

John Hayden sat out an eighth straight game as a healthy scratch in the Hawks' 2-1 OT win over Colorado on Sunday.

"We've found a group we're pretty comfortable with," said coach Jeremy Colliton. "It's a decision you make every day. What's the best lineup to help us win?"

For now, Colliton believes that lineup includes a fourth line that consists of 39-year-old veteran Chris Kunitz, Marcus Kruger and David Kampf. Hayden (3 goals in 50 games) could replace Kunitz (3 goals in 50 games), but Colliton hasn't seen enough to make that move.

"He's made progress this year," Colliton said. "It's just right now we rate the other guys ahead of him."

A path to Hayden's return will only get more difficult if Drake Caggiula returns from a concussion that has cost him 11 games. Colliton said Caggiula may see if he can pass the concussion test today.

Slap shots:

Brent Seabrook recorded the 250th assist of his career on Artem Anisimov's third-period goal Sunday against Colorado. … Anisimov's goal was his 14th of the season and first on the power play. He is the third Hawks player to score at even strength, on the power play and short-handed this season (Brandon Saad, Jonathan Toews.)