Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford suffered a concussion after a collision in the first period Sunday against the Sharks at the United Center in Chicago.
It’s the second concussion in less than a year for Crawford, who missed 47 games last season with lingering concussion-like symptoms. He went 16-9-2 with a 2.27 goals-against average and .929 save percentage before his concussion in late December last year.
Crawford was 6-14-2 with a 3.23 GAA and .903 save percentage this season since returning to action in mid-October.
On Sunday, San Jose forward Logan Couture skated toward the net on a scoring chance with Dylan Strome chasing him down. Strome clipped Couture in the face with his stick as Evander Kane collided with Strome causing the Chicago forward to knock over Crawford.
Kane was assessed a goaltender interference penalty on the play with 1:30 left in the period.
Crawford’s head hit the post and he was down on the ice before leaving the game with head athletic trainer Mike Gapski. Cam Ward replaced Crawford in net, and allowed five more goals in Chicago’s 7-3 loss.
The Blackhawks have not announced how long Crawford will be out or which goaltender will be recalled from the AHL to serve as Ward’s backup.
Anton Forsberg did not play while serving as Ward’s backup earlier this season as Crawford made his way back from a concussion. The Blackhawks then re-assigned Forsberg to the AHL, where he has gone 5-3 with a 2.62 GAA and .917 save percentage in nine appearances.
Forsberg filled in as the No. 1 netminder last season when Crawford was out. Forsberg went 10-16-4 with a 2.97 GAA and .908 save percentage in 35 games during his first full NHL season.
Collin Delia was brought up to the NHL for the Blackhawks’ season opener Oct. 3 in Ottawa after Forsberg was injured during the morning skate. Delia served as Ward’s backup and did not play. Delia was re-assigned to the AHL the next day, and has gone 7-5-4 with a 2.34 GAA and .933 save percentage in 17 games with the Rockford IceHogs.