(670 The Score) From what was originally reported as an "upper-body injury" to "vertigo-like symptoms," Blackhawks' goalie Corey Crawford appears to have moved past the concussion that kept him sidelined for nearly 10 months. In doing so, he has showcased why he's arguably the Blackhawks' most impactful piece as well.
Crawford began the season on injured reserve before starting against the Arizona Coyotes on Oct. 18. After losing that game, Crawford stopped a combined 63 of the next 65 shots he faced to pick up a pair of wins, and it was in the victory against the Ducks on Tuesday that coach Joel Quenneville noticed that he look like himself in stopping a 10-shot barrage in the second period.
"I thought he was quick on top of the paint," Quenneville said. "His movement was excellent. You can just see how quick he is. Whether it's anticipation or how fast he moves, he seemed finding pucks and getting on top of the paint in a real good way."
Crawford owns a 1.52 goals-against average with a .946 save percentage in his four starts, ranking third in the NHL in each category. While it's a small sample size, Crawford is playing at the caliber he was last season before his concussion. A presumed Vezina Trophy candidate, he had a 2.27 goals against average and .929 save percentage in 2017-'18.
Although the Blackhawks' defense has yielded too many odd-rushes overall, Crawford credited the recent play in front of him, noting it hasn't given their respective opponents much time to decide on their puck placement. He also cited defenseman Erik Gustafsson as a catalyst in that effort, along with aiding the offense in the process.
Gustafsson is tied for fifth on the team with five points, pairing up with Brent Seabrook in all but three games thus far.
"He's making some pretty big fakes ... (and) making some big plays for us rushing up the puck," Crawford said. "It's nice to see him go out there and have that confidence."
Despite Gustafsson's development, the Blackhawks' declining defense makes Crawford's play even more impressive. They've allowed an increase of 5.5 shots on goal per contest in the previous three seasons, and they're currently yielding 34.1 shots on goal per game through the first 10 games.
Tampa Bay Lightning coach John Cooper dished out rare praise for Crawford when the two teams squared off last weekend, considering him to be in the Hockey Hall of Fame conversation.
"It was Crawford that stopped us (in the 2015 Stanley Cup Final)," Cooper said. "Then all the other guys took over after that."
Whether Crawford's sculpture lands in Toronto down the road, he's focused on making sure he doesn't require another extended absence this season. Sans him, the Blackhawks likely couldn't sustain much success. With him, they're off to a quality start, tied for second in the Central Division.
"The more games you play, I think the little things get sharper," Crawford said. "Reading plays better. I'm feeling good right now. We've got a long way to go."
Eli Hershkovich is a producer for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @EliHershkovich.
