Chicago Blackhawks: Has Corey Crawford Earned the No. 1 Spot?

Well Hawks fans, the Circus Trip is over and the boys are home for a while, bringing a successful 4-2 record back with them. They now play in the Madhouse for a four game home stretch, which is certainly an early Christmas present for season ticket holders.

The buzz from the Circus Trip can be summed up in one name, Corey Crawford.  The Hawks No. 2 goaltender, behind Marty Turco, made quite an argument to coaches and fans alike that he deserves consideration for the No. 1 spot.  With his solid play, strong net presence and calmness under pressure, he is ready.

His performances on the Circus Trip has given many Hawk fans something to talk about.  While Marty Turco has been doing an admirable job in net, there is a consensus among Hawk fans, and even a few columnists, that Turco may be trying too hard, attempting to be too flashy or is even having difficulties adjusting to a different style of play.  

Many, even here on B/R, have felt that team chemistry has been lacking, due in large part to the exodus of so many key players in the off season.  Yet, the last two games have showed a stronger, tougher and more cohesive Blackhawk team. Heck! Even Kane was crashing the opponent's net in Los Angeles.  The decline in SAs were also certainly a sign that we may well have found that elusive team chemistry and dare I say, even the defense.

Duncan Keith echoed this by saying, "More than anything we bonded as a team as a group of guys."  I can almost hear the collective sigh of relief coming from the shores of Lake Michigan all the way out here in the Eastern Time Zone.  At the heart of this collective sigh is Crawford.  

I am not going to profess any insight or analytical savvy, but I just knew at the beginning of the season (here) that Crawford was going to start seeing his jerseys selling out all over town.  Vendors will certainly be making adjustments in their orders because Christmas is just around the corner. 

Crawford's post game interviews have been impressive as well, with Coach Joel Quennville even singing Crawford's praises.  In post-game interviews after the 2-1 win over the LA Kings, Coach Q said, "Crow was big in the net for us." When asked if Crawford would start on Tuesday vs. St.Louis, the ever elusive Coach Q responded, "We’ll consider who’s starting on Tuesday, but there’s a chance he could go again." 

With these two wins, Crawford was able to improve his personal stats by decreasing his GAA's from 2.39 to 2.07 and increasing his SV% from .916 to .925.  If Quennville starts Crawford on Tuesday, which I hope he does, it will send a strong message to both Crawford and Turco.  

Will there be a controversy? No, for the simple reason that each goaltender knows their place in the Chicago Blackhawks play book.  Turco is simply the bookmark waiting for Crawford to turn a few more chapters of experience.  The potential of three starts in a row will certainly turn a few more pages in Crawford's favor.

It will be interesting to see what Coach Q does Tuesday when the 12-7 St. Louis Blues come to the Madhouse.  

UPDATE: 11/29 @ 3:10 EST 

According to a report from team practice today, which had its own drama, Crawford has been given the nod to start on Tuesday.  To his credit, Turco had this to say: "Corey's going to play, I think, and he should. He's been playing great, he's been playing great all year, has won a few in a row. We want to get on a roll. I'm here to win, no matter what."

This is where Turco really shows his class.  He can contribute off the ice by being a leader in the locker room and in front of the cameras with great quotes like this one.