Chicago Blackhawks: Give Antti Raanta the Start vs. San Jose Sharks

The Chicago Blackhawks' goaltending situation has taken a dramatic turn. As a result, coach Joel Quenneville may be starting a rookie in net Sunday against the San Jose Sharks.

Antti Raanta stopped 35 of 37 shots in a 4-2 win in Rockford Saturday night. He may be facing NHL shooters Sunday.

The Blackhawks have been a one-man show in net this season, with Corey Crawford playing in 18 of Chicago's 20 games. He has appeared in each of the 'Hawks' last 10 games. To say he might be a little worn down is probably understating things.

Nikolai Khabibulin's two starts in October ended with the 40-year-old goalie being removed form the net. Saturday night, Crawford came in cold 15 minutes into the game in Nashville when Khabibulin was injured.

It appears that the Chicago backup goalie has a lower-body issue of some kind. He went down to attempt a butterfly save and was in noticeable distress. Until the club makes an announcement, we can only speculate, though Khabibulin has had a history of groin problems over the last few seasons.

To summarize, Crawford is overworked, Khabibulin is hurt and Quenneville has a decision to make.

Raanta will most assuredly by recalled and find himself in Chicago Sunday. Will his role be as Crawford's backup or will Quenneville roll the dice on the debut of the 24-year-old Finn?

In 14 AHL games, Raanta is 7-5 with a 2.83 goals-against average and .914 save percentage. He has had some ups and downs for the IceHogs, but looks like he can develop into a reliable NHL goaltender.

Chicago would prefer to keep him in Rockford to pick up game experience, but that's not a luxury the Blackhawks have at this point. Watching Khabibulin leave the ice Saturday, it doesn't appear as if he will be available Sunday or on the team's impending road trip.

Crawford gave up five goals in the 'Hawks' 7-2 loss to the Predators and obviously thought he was getting a long-awaited night off. It's not hard to think that he would be more focused in net for a showdown with Antti Niemi.

On the other hand, going with Raanta Sunday night might not be the worst thing in the world.

Chicago is going to come back to the United Center with the bad taste of an underwhelming performance in its mouth. It should come out ready to work. The challenge of a goalie making his NHL debut may snap the defense back to form.

If Khabibulin is going to be out for awhile, Raanta is going to see the ice eventually. Someone is going to have to spell Crawford with seven road games facing the Blackhawks for the rest of the month.

General manager Stan Bowman could work a quick deal to secure a veteran. If not, the plan with Raanta changes and he continues to adjust to the smaller North American rink in the NHL.

If that's going to be the case, don't be surprised if Raanta gets the nod Sunday.