Blackhawks host Jets with out Crawford

the best information for the Chicago Blackhawks is that they have depth in intention to resist the loss of Corey Crawford for some weeks.

That depth will be tested once more as one of the league's pinnacle freshmen takes the United center ice for the primary time Sunday whilst the Blackhawks face pink-warm Patrik Laine and the Winnipeg Jets.

Chicago (16-7-3) returns domestic after a 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday. however the loss overshadowed news earlier than the game that Crawford -- a five-time 30-game winner -- will miss up to a few weeks after undergoing an emergency appendectomy.

"he is the great goalie within the league, him and Carey charge (of the Montreal Canadiens), you can put them in a class by means of themselves," backup Scott Darling stated of Crawford. "He brings it each night time. he is been exceptional for us all 12 months. And he's only a high-quality man. ... i hope he's getting better. "

The Blackhawks tweeted Saturday evening that Crawford traveled again to Chicago with the team. If Crawford misses three weeks, he ought to return Dec. 27 at domestic against Winnipeg. until then, Chicago is scheduled to play 10 video games -- such as  matchups with the the big apple Rangers, who lead the league with 3.64 desires in step with recreation through Saturday.

Darling, who hasn't started at home when you consider that Nov. 6, is 4-1-1 with a 2.81 goals-against average and a .907 store percentage average this season. he's won all 3 begins on Chicago's West side, despite having allowed 10 goals on one hundred and five photographs confronted.

Defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson is not worried.

"we've got lots of self belief in (Darling). we all understand how well he can play, and that i think he is more than equipped for an possibility to play a few games in a row," he stated. "... I assume he's going to be doing a exceptional activity as he is been doing, quite lots each time he is been gambling for us."

due to the fact a loss in their season opener, Chicago is 10-zero-2 on the "Madhouse on Madison," having scored at least four goals seven times. Over the ones 12 video games, Artem Anisimov and Marian Hossa have scored a crew-excellent seven dreams for the Blackhawks, and 5 of Hossa's markers have come in the last 5 video games.

The Blackhawks might also need lots from their offense whilst the protection has the undertaking of seeking to gradual down Laine, arguably the Jets' fine participant -- simply their maximum exciting -- in view that Teemu Selanne. Laine scored a goal and assisted on Bryan Little's sport-winner 17 seconds into time beyond regulation as Winnipeg (12-thirteen-2) topped the St. Louis Blues 3-2 on Saturday.

"It feels appropriate ... but now we should forget this game and attention on (Sunday)," said Laine because the Jets search for lower back-to-again road wins for the first time this season.

Laine, taken 2nd average in June's NHL Draft, stocks the NHL lead in goals with Sidney Crosby (sixteen) and leads all beginners in points (23). One of those desires came in a four-zero victory over the Blackhawks on Nov. 15 in Winnipeg.

thus far, Laine has not been as effective gambling on the street. In 14 video games, the 18-yr-vintage has 3 goals and 5 assists, and Winnipeg is 1-5-2 whilst he fails to sign up a point away from the MTS Centre.

Saturday's win snapped a six-recreation avenue dropping streak, and became greater staggering because the Jets performed without leading scorer Mark Scheifele (13 desires, thirteen assists) due to a lower-body damage.

"We don't suppose this is a long-term (damage) or he would not have taken the morning skate. He wasn't as cellular as he wishes to play," Jets coach Paul Maurice said after the win, adding that Scheifele will be inside the lineup in opposition to the Blackhawks.

Following its relocation from Atlanta in 2011, Winnipeg is four-four-0 in Chicago, and has been constrained to a complete of 1 purpose even as dropping the remaining  matchups.

"hopefully we come into Chicago and have some legs (Sunday), that could be any other two large points for us," stated Little, who has two desires and an assist in two games after missing 23 with a decrease-frame harm.