Blackhawks’ Corey Crawford to miss 2-3 weeks with lower-body injury
The Chicago Blackhawks have lost three of their last four games and now have to prepare themselves for the Antti Raanta/Kent Simpson era in goal.
Corey Crawford injured himself during the first period of Sunday's win over the Florida Panthers. It's a lower-body injury that will keep him out of the lineup for the next 2-3 weeks, head coach Joel Quenneville revealed Tuesday:
Raanta will get the start Tuesday night against the Dallas Stars, with Simpson backing up. Both began the season in the AHL with Rockford.
Raanta's played well in five appearances posting a 3-0-1 record with a 2.16 goals against average and .923 save-percentage, impressing Coach Q. Via ESPN Chicago: “He’s done a real good job. He’s played some games now. We got to see him a little bit more. He’s doing what we want him to do.”
That 2-3 week timeframe could put a dent in Crawford's chances to be one of Team Canada's three goaltenders for the Sochi Olympics. Hockey Canada will announce their roster on Jan. 7, and this injury could put the Blackhawks' netminder out for double digit games. With a crowded crop of goalies fighting for one of three jobs, any of Roberto Luongo, Mike Smith, Josh Harding, Marc-Andre Fleury, Carey Price, or Braden Holtby could play themselves into a final spot in general manager Steve Yzerman's mind.
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