Hawks, Crawford walloped by Ovechkin's Caps
Alexander Ovechkin and Mike Knuble each tallied two goals as the Washington Capitals trounced the Chicago Blackhawks 6-2 in Wednesday night's exhibition in D.C. The game results will mean squat once the regular season opens. That is, for most of the Hawks roster except goaltender Corey Crawford.
Crawford is in a position battle with Antii Niemi for the backup goaltending duties behind Cristobal Huet. Allowing six goals on 30 shots doesn't win goalies many jobs. Niemi let in three goals on 17 shots on Sunday night in Minnesota. Neither has appeared to seal the backup role as of yet, but the edge has to go to Niemi at this point.
Crawford drew the difficult assignment of facing the Caps on the road with Ovechkin in mid-season form. Coach Joel Quenneville also chose to rest his top defensive pair of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. Added to Crawford's challenge was the fact the Blackhawks were shorthanded six times including a 5-on-3 in the second period.
Faced with all those obstacles it was a great opportunity for the Blackhawks' 2003 2nd round draft choice to step up and claim the prize. Instead, Crawford wet the bed. For a guy who has been in the Hawks organization for six years, when are the training pants going to come off? Time and time again, Crawford has failed to live up the expectations of becoming an NHL goaltender.
You can say it was just one game. Everyone's allowed a bad game. But tonight was not just another game for Crawford. The kid from Montreal has had plenty of opportunities the past few years to prove his worth to the Blackhawks organization. Instead, Dale Tallon's signing of Huet and Niemi during the summer of '08 was a clear indication that the Hawks' had lost faith in Crawford's ability to meet their previous expectations.
A review of the past two games box scores indicates one clear differential. Niemi and the Hawks only trailed 1-0 entering the third period Sunday night in Minnesota. Tonight, Crawford's Hawks were down 5-1 with eight minutes expired in the second period. Niemi gave his team a chance. Crawford folded like a cheap tent.
I have believed since last season that this is Niemi's job to lose. In my mind, the correct move at this juncture would be to award Niemi the backup position now. I would prefer that Niemi receive two more games of live action before the regular season instead of just one. More than likely both Crawford and Niemi will each play one more preseason tilt before the duel is called. If I'm reading the Hawks right on this one, Crawford's been playing the whole time without any bullets in the chambers.
There are two positives to report from Wednesday's game. The Hawks tallied two power goals as Patrick Sharp and Troy Brouwer scored with the man advantage. The Blackhawks also appear to have left Washington as healthy as when they arrived. Both are feats they were unable to achieve in their previous preseason games.
9 Comments
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Dave Morris said:
Mark, I hate to pass judgement on a young goaltender when he's playing a team like Washington, has half his defense corps missing, and doesn't get any help on three of the six goals he let in.
But Crawford doesn't look ready. Just as you said.
Which is too bad, because the young man has talent. It's just that the Blackhawks need two NHL ready goaltenders right now.
That simple.
Forklift said:
It's been my observation that Niemi is quicker post-to-post than Crawford, and stays up on his skates longer. I actually think he'll be a damn fine NHL goalie.
Crawford's shining moment was a shutout against Anaheim a couple years ago, when Burish seemed to have blocked 20 shots by himself.
cubby23(eric) said:
I kind of see Crawford as a Michael Leighton down the road. He'll be a decent if unspectacular NHL backup. I'm just not sure that he's at that point right now unfortunately. Of course, it was just 1 pre-season game and that's what these games are for:to get the rust off and become mentally prepared again for facing the best players.
Dave Morris said:
Michael Leighton? That's not terribly encouraging.
Let's look at the bright side. Klinkhammer and Bickell have been called up.
That's two more in the tradition of great names for Blackhawks players.
cubby23(eric) said:
Leighton's been fine as a backup in Carolina. Look at Craig Anderson and his career trajectory. Sometimes it takes a goalie a while and sometimes they never really pan out. Did I mention Jimmy Waite yet? I believe he was winning championships in one of the European leagues while his brother tries to teach the finer pts. of the position to Niemi and Crawford, oh and Huet too!
cubby23(eric) said:
I forgot to add, Crawford has been a Hawk for 6 years organizationally, but he's still only 24 years old. Not to compare the two, but some goalies take longer, and I recall Ed Belfour was no spring chicken when he finally took over. I think the Hawks need to worry more about whether Huet can be the guy than the backup situation. A lot is riding on Huet performing well and he is still an unknown to a certain degree. I think Stan Bowman should be on the phones inquiring with Bob Murray as to the price tag of a Jonas Hiller, especially if Giguere wins back his starting job. Hiller looked strong down the stretch and in the playoffs last season and wouldn't be too much more risky an option than entrusting Huet to handle the starting gig.
Dave Morris said:
Cubby, Antti Niemi just called. He wants to know why you've given his job away already.
cubby23(eric) said:
Simply because this is an important year and I don't want goaltending, among other things, to be the sore spot or reason for failure.
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