So, Corey Crawford didn’t get off to the best start in these Stanley Cup playoffs.
-- He was pulled after the first period of Game 1 against Nashville in the opening round.
-- He started Game 2 and gave up six goals on 35 shots.
-- He was “a little pissed off at first” that Scott Darling took over the starting job in that first-round series.
But it’s not always about how you start. Since taking back the No. 1 goalie job at the end of the Nashville series, Crawford has been spectacular for the Chicago Blackhawks.
“I never necessarily get low, confidence-wise, about my game,” Crawford told NHL.com.
“I was a little ticked off, I guess you could say, that I wasn’t in there. But I was still ready to get back in. I was working hard, and I mean … things happen. Sometimes things don’t go your way, and you can’t really let your emotions affect your play after that.”
In a four-game sweep of the Minnesota Wild in the second round, Crawford allowed only seven goals. Two of those came during a frantic stretch in the final three minutes, when the Wild tried desperately to send Game 4 to overtime and possibly extend the series.
“I don’t think I was completely awful the first [series],” said Crawford. “It just took a little bit to get into it. I was out quick, lost the timing and when I came back, I got it back pretty quick. I’m feeling pretty good right now.”