In his 300th NHL game, Corey Crawford recorded the 18th shutout of his career. He also continued to set a new season high, as that shutout was his sixth of the season.
Oh, and we’re only halfway through the season.
Oh, and this feat hasn’t been accomplished since the 1969-70 season, since – who else – Tony Esposito recorded 10 shutouts over his team’s first 40 games. Crawford is the first to get at least six in 46 years, a bit fewer than 10, but still really, really good, especially when you consider how he leads the NHL in shutouts this season and all.
Esposito, a rookie that season, ended up finishing the year with 15 shutouts, so that’s the mark Crawford has to aim for if he wants to catch up. It’s a tough task, and of course Crawford isn’t actually Esposito – not to mention these are completely different eras of hockey – so it’s one he’s unlikely to meet.
But he’s been doing stuff no Chicago goalie has since Esposito, and the Blackhawks are thriving with him in net, so it’s impossible to complain. Crow is definitely having a season for the ages.