Corey Crawford NHL's No. 2 star of the month

Corey Crawford named one of the three stars of the month in NHL

By Kyle Thele

Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) makes a save on a shot by the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

Arguably the biggest snub from the NHL All-Star Game, Corey Crawfor is now getting honored by the league. The Blackhawks goalie was named one of the NHL’s three stars of the month in January.

Crawford went 9-2 through the month of January with a save percentage above 95 percent. With Crawford’s play in the net, the Blackhawks continued a winning streak through more than half of the month which catapulted them atop the Western Conference.

During the month, Crawford twice posted a shutout. In both games, Crawford faced at least 25 shots, including a win over rival St. Louis.

From NHL.com:

Overall, Crawford allowed two goals or fewer in nine of 10 appearances before a loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in his final start prior to the break. Crawford leads NHL goalies with seven shutouts, is second with 28 wins and fourth with a .931 save percentage.

Crawford becomes the second Blackhawks player to receive the monthly honor, and marks the third straight month the Blackhawks were represented. Patrick Kane was the first star in November and the third in December. This is the first time in his career that Crawford has been given the monthly honor. While he was the first star for a week in December, he was forgotten about completely for the weekly awards in January.

[nicelink url= “http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/7/71/1298387/watch-corey-crawford-denies-avalanche-5-saves-one-sequence”]

The Blackhawks goalie picked up right where he left off in the team’s return to the ice after the All-Star break. Crawford held the Colorado Avalanche to only one goal in a 2-1 Blackhawks win.

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