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Crawford ‘feeling pretty good’ after slow start to playoffs

Minnesota Wild v Chicago Blackhawks - Game Two

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 03: Thomas Vanek #26 of the Minnesota Wild gets called for goal tender interference with this play against Corey Crawford #50 of the Chicago Blackhawks in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center on May 1, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

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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.”

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