Corey Crawford shines in debut as Chicago Blackhawks dominate Montreal Canadiens 5-1 -NHL Update
Corey Crawford was given ample time to rest and reorganise his priorities after a disappointing loss against Phoenix Coyotes earlier on December 5. The young goalie made his debut nearly two weeks after being pulled out and 20 crucial saves to lift Chicago
Blackhawks over Montreal Canadiens, 5-1, on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, at the sold out United Center in Chicago, Illinois, United States.
Crawford’s counterpart in the Montreal net, Peter Budaj, was playing in place of Carey Price, who has also been struggling the past few days but the replacement did not do any better by falling short on four of 27 shot attempts on his net to hand over the
Canadiens their fourth straight loss.
Andrei Kostitsyn was wide open in the opening minutes of the second period after both teams failed to score a single goal in the initial round and found the open slot behind Crawford for a quick snap shot into the net for his 10th of the 2011-2012
National Hockey League (NHL) regular season on a power play opportunity.
Patrick Kane followed up by bring the puck behind the net for a backhander which was deflected by Budaj but Andrew Brunette was at the right place at the right time to tip in the loose puck.
Patrick Sharp knew he had to take control of the match and did exactly that by going on a two-on-two competition towards the Montreal net and potting another one 21 seconds after to make the tie-breaker.
Viktor Stalberg made the deciding goal midway through the third period which put Chicago up by, 3-1, putting the Canadiens on the edge by ejecting their goalkeeper for another forward, which did not provide them any benefit as Blackhawks captain, Jonathan
Toews made the empty netter from their own defensive end at the 18:43 mark while Bryan Bickell added another one nearly a minute later.
Chicago plans on staying perfect in their five-game home stand with the next being against Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday while Montreal Canadiens return to Canada on Thursday to face their rivals in the Eastern Conference, Winnipeg Jets.
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