Chicago Blackhawks: Give Corey Crawford a Night Off, Please

I know that the Chicago Blackhawks are fighting tooth and nail for positioning in the Western Conference playoff picture.  I know every point counts and each game has been of the huge, must-win variety for well over the last month.

Just the same, I can tell when a guy's dragging a bit.

Let's let Corey Crawford have a seat on the bench for a night, huh?

I'm sure that he won't read into the decision to give Marty Turco a start or two in this last push to the playoffs. 

Crawford is the Blackhawks' starter both now and in the playoffs.  Playing Turco does not equate to an 11th-hour audition for postseason minutes.

Thursday's action in Dallas marks the Blackhawks' rookie netminder's 16th consecutive start in goal.  That's twice as long as his previous longest stretch this season.

The cry will come from some fans that the Blackhawks can't afford to have the much-maligned Turco between the pipes for the rest of the season.  After all, he's been terrible and it would throw Crawford out of his Calder groove to watch any hockey from the bench.

I disagree. 

Playing Turco ultimately makes Crawford a better goalie and gives the 'Hawks the best chance to win the bulk of their games when all is said and done.

Why rest Crawford for an evening?  Look at these last five games.  He is 2-1-2 with a 3.20 goals against average and an .892 save percentage.  This includes the night in Florida last week when he was pulled after giving up three first-period goals.  (Update: After last night's loss to the Stars, Crawford's numbers in his last six games are 3.93 and .880)

Who stepped in, stopped every shot he faced (I know, just seven of them), and gave Chicago a chance to get back into the game?  Turco.

Since he became the de facto starter in mid-November, Crawford has not allowed more than two goals in any of his games following a Turco start.  On three such occasions, he allowed just one goal.

Turco has a .929 save percentage in his last two games.  He knows the importance of each game as the season winds down.  (Update: Turco stopped 15 of 17 shots in relief of Crawford Thursday and has a 2.59 GAA and a .915 save percentage in his last three appearances.)

Why not give him the net against Florida Wednesday night at the United Center, give Crawford five days off and let the youngster get a second wind for the last nine games?

Backups are there to spot the starter.  Let's be clear here—no one is saying that the Blackhawks should make a switch to a hot hand in goal. 

I expect Crawford to be the man in goal for any and all playoff games.  He just could use a night off before the team reaches that point.

Some say that the Blackhawks can't afford to sit Crawford.  In the big picture, Crawford will be a much better goalie with some rest.  In turn, the 'Hawks will be a much tougher opponent down the stretch. 

Do we really need to ride Crawford for 27 consecutive games before the start of the playoffs?

Coach Quenneville—send in the Turconator, if only for one last night.