Corey Crawford will start for the Blackhawks on Wednesday night against the Ducks in Anaheim after missing two months with a concussion, coach Jeremy Colliton confirmed after the team’s morning skate.
It’s a much quicker return for Crawford compared to his first concussion that caused him to be out for 10 months and miss 47 games last season and five games this season. Crawford missed 28 games this time after his second concussion, which he suffered Dec. 16 against San Jose during a collision in the crease.
Prior to his head injury, Crawford was 6-14-2 with a 3.28 goals-against average and .902 save percentage in 23 games this season.
In his absence, the Blackhawks went 16-9-3 with veteran Cam Ward and rookie Collin Delia sharing the net. Delia went 6-4-3 with a 3.48 GAA and .909 save percentage during his call up before being re-assigned to the AHL. Delia made 15 saves in his first game back with the IceHogs in a 1-0 road loss to the Chicago Wolves on Tuesday night at Allstate Arena.
The Blackhawks enter Wednesday’s game at Honda Center in last place in the Central Division and six points back of Dallas for the second-wild card spot with Colorado, Arizona and Vancouver ahead of them.