What’s not to love about winning 4-0?
With Corey Crawford out for a bit due to appendicitis, the Chicago Blackhawks’ reins have been handed over to Scott Darling for the time being. He’s mostly been doing well – a .919 save percentage in 10 games so far this season – but his 22-save 4-0 win over the Arizona Coyotes was his first victory since Crawford was sidelined.
It was also the third shutout of his career, and one that broke tradition, because he didn’t record it on March 18.
His first career shutout was a 1-0 effort against the New York Rangers on March 18, 2015. Brad Richards scored the only goal, and Darling made 25 saves to preserve the win.
On March 18, 2016, Darling recorded his second career shutout: a 28-save, 4-0 win over the Winnipeg Jets.
His third career shutout came on Dec. 6, 2016.
Darling has recorded one shutout every season he’s played with the Blackhawks, but hopefully he’s got a few more in them.
And just for the record: the Hawks are playing in Toronto on March 18, 2017, and even though tradition has been broken a bit, I think we all know who should start that game.