The Chicago Blackhawks chances at repeating as Stanley Cup champions, capturing their fourth NHL championship in seven seasons, got a whole lot harder the last few weeks as All-Star netminder Corey Crawford succumbed to a head injury that may keep him out of the lineup for some time and grizzled defenseman Duncan Keith went all Babe Ruth on Wild center Charlie Coyle's face. The loss of two of their most important pieces didn't really faze the team, Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said, even as the team capped off a recent 3-5-2 run with a 4-1 loss to Coyle and company.
The good news for Blackhawks fans is that, well, they're still the Blackhawks. Outside of a few key additions - all of which have settled in very nicely for Quenneville - Chicago is still mostly the same team that's won three out of the last six Stanley Cup championships. But again, repeating last year's run through the NHL playoffs won't be easy if Crawford and Keith miss significant time.
Quenneville, appearing on his weekly radio show, said that Crawford is "feeling closer" to a return to the ice.
Crawford (35-18-4), last played on March 14 in a losing effort against the Los Angeles Kings. It was reported earlier this week that Crawford has been dealing with a head injury and maybe even vertigo issues similar to what Bryan Bickell dealt with the year prior.
Last week, Quenneville said that he was hopeful Crawford would be able to return in time for the playoffs, but added that he couldn't say anything with certainty. His comments Thursday make it sound as though Hawks fans may not have to pin their hopes to Scott Darling for much longer, though it's still not certain whether he'll be able to return in time for the postseason.
Darling, 27, has played relatively well for the Hawks, but his 2.51 GAA and .914 SV pale in comparison to Crawford's steady backstopping.
To compound things for the recently reeling Blackhawks, Keith looks to be in danger of missing the remainder of the regular season and perhaps a portion of the playoffs.
His in-person hearing with the NHL's player safety department has not yet been scheduled. Keith remains suspended indefinitely after his vicious attack on Coyle.
With the regular season waning and Keith's suspension potentially of the lengthy variety - say six games or more - thanks in large part to his repeat offender status, his availability for the early portion of the postseason is also very much in doubt.
