Chicago Blackhawks: Like It or Not, Corey Crawford Should Be in Net for Game 5

Suggesting that the Chicago Blackhawks turn to their emergency goalie, Carter Hutton, in what could be the last game of the 2011-12 season is "the grass is greener" thinking of a ridiculous nature.

The thought that the 26-year old Hutton is better suited for Game 5 of the 'Hawks first-round series with Phoenix just doesn't hold water. The same goes for the belief that Corey Crawford has single-handedly put Chicago into a 3-1 hole in the series.

Crawford let in a couple of wonky goals to end both Games 3 and 4 at the United Center. I won't debate otherwise. However, he won Game 2 with some big saves to keep Chicago in the contest and got the 'Hawks to extra time in Game 1.

If you want to take him to task for the two softies, go ahead. Crawford took all the blame for the Game 3 slip and by all accounts took it hard. He probably was of a similar mindset following Game 4.

Personally, I feel that if Joel Quenneville feels that Crawford is his starting goalie now and in the future, he needs to start Game 5 Saturday night in Phoenix. Not doing so sends a vote of no confidence to a player who is signed for the next two seasons to be the starter.

In fact, with backup Ray Emery signed for next season, the only way this year's tandem doesn't patrol the net in the 2012-13 campaign is if GM Stan Bowman brokers a trade. If the team no longer thinks that Crawford is the man, start another goalie Saturday.

Just make sure it's Emery.

The Hutton bandwagon has picked up speed in the last day or two as frustrated 'Hawks fans are looking for something to spark the team before the Phoenix Coyotes end their season. Let me pose this question in response. Should they sit Patrick Sharp in favor of Jeremy Morin? Of course not.

Again, I think the 'Hawks should go with Crawford. If not, why would you leapfrog a backup who has playoff experience and holds a 1.52 goals against average versus Phoenix this season?

Why would giving Hutton, playing just his second season of professional hockey, his first NHL career start on the biggest of stages be a good idea? Why pass over two goalies with whom the team is familiar for a player who might have the confidence of a few of Chicago's rookies?

Hutton is a great story for what he accomplished this season down in Rockford. He came into a rotten situation there and is the primary reason that the IceHogs had any chance of reaching the AHL playoffs. He was easily the MVP of that team.

Last year's MVP down in Rockford was Jeff Taffe. I woudn't be clamoring for him to skate with Toews and Kane in a key playoff game. Hutton is a fan favorite in Rockford and deservedly so, but what he did this season was against AHL-level talent. It wasn't against NHL skaters honed from four hard-fought games.

Hutton is not the second coming of Ed Belfour. Unlike most of the folks tossing his name into the mix, I have seen the guy play in the majority of his Rockford starts. He handles traffic well, but can be beat high with regularity.

He is a good AHL goalie who had a very good season. He is a completely unknown commodity in the NHL. He also hasn't seen game action, let alone the speed of the NHL, in two weeks, having sat out of the IceHogs' final weekend.

The Rockford fan in me would be thrilled for Hutton to get the chance to patrol the crease for the 'Hawks or another NHL team someday. The 'Hawks fan would be wary at best to see him dropped into an elimination game.

It might be a lark to suggest Hutton faces the Coyotes Saturday night and changes Chicago's fortunes. It just isn't their best option by a long shot. The 'Hawks should sink or swim with Crawford.