Corey Crawford will likely not travel with the Chicago Blackhawks during the team’s four-game road trip, coach Joel Quenneville told reporters after Friday’s morning skate.
With Crawford out, Scott Darling will make the start in net Saturday against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Michael Leighton, the veteran who was called up from the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL, could start Sunday in Vancouver on the second half of the back-to-back.
Darling is 1-2 in his last four starts after giving up four first-period goals to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday at the United Center. Leighton entered in relief, and he made 16 saves in his first NHL action since 2013 with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Chicago’s four-game road trip includes a back-to-back at Calgary and Vancouver on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, before heading back state side to visit Minnesota on Tuesday. They conclude their trip by visiting Winnipeg on April 1, and that’s no joke.
UPDATE:
It’s official: Corey Crawford is not on the plane to Calgary.#Blackhawks @NHLBlackhawks
— John Dietz (@johndietzdh) March 25, 2016