The Chicago Blackhawks have won six straight games, and their starting goaltender has been a big part of that.
In the past week alone, Crawford started three games: a 5-1 win over the Calgary Flames, a 4-0 shutout victory over the Colorado Avalanche, and a 3-2 win over the Dallas Stars. His save percentage over that time? He hit .971 en route to stopping 102 of 105 shots he faced.
Also, his second shutout of the year came off the back of a 38-save performance, so it’s not like it was just handed to him.
The Stars game was the only one-goal game Crawford had to play in this past week, and that’s where he really earned the win, having to kill off a penalty in the final minutes of the game – and doing just that.
Through 10 games this season, Crawford’s save percentage is .936 – fourth among goalies who have started at least five games. He’s off to a great start as one of the best goalies in the NHL so far this season.