The Blackhawks will be without Corey Crawford as they try to break a four-game losing skid Friday night in Winnipeg. Crawford is “day to day” with an upper-body injury and will not make the trip to Winnipeg, the team announced on Thursday.
The Hawks recalled veteran goalie Michael Leighton to back up Scott Darling. Leighton is 28-8-8 in 46 starts with the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL this season, with a 2.44 goals-against average and .918 save percentage. He recently set the AHL record with his 46th career shutout. The 35-year-old is 35-41-14 for four NHL teams, and was the Philadelphia Flyers’ goalie when Patrick Kane scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal in 2010.
Crawford is having a career year, and has forced his way into the discussion for the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goalie with a 35-18-3 record, a 2.32 GAA and a .926 save percentage.