Blackhawks: Should Corey Crawford start Game 3?

The Chicago Blackhawks were just embarrassed by the Edmonton Oilers, giving up 6 goals in a losing effort. The goaltending situation might need to be looked at after that loss.

Corey Crawford has given up 10 goals in two games, with the majority of them being soft goals that shouldn’t have seen the back of the net. In defense of Crawford, the Chicago Blackhawks had terrible puck luck tonight, but something needs to be done to switch things up if Chicago wants to win this series.

First off, the defensive play was poor at best tonight. Connor McDavid walked right through the Blackhawks defense, making scoring a hat trick look easy. I haven’t seen a guy score a hat trick easier than McDavid did tonight.

The Blackhawks couldn’t hold a lead, even after coming back down 3-1, as they gave up a McDavid goal just minutes after.

Crawford gave up goals in bunches tonight, with McDavid scoring two goals in the first four minutes of the game, and then late in the third period, Crawford gave up twp goals in 40 seconds to James Neal and Alex Chiasson.

Crawford gave up at least 3 soft goals tonight, something that he cannot do if he expects to remain the starter in Chicago. McDavid’s third goal shouldn’t have happened, along with Neal and Chiasson’s goal. Neal stole the puck from Crawford behind the net and Chiasson’s goal came when Crawford was searching for the puck on the ground. He has to have better awareness, along with the defense being there to clear the puck.

I mean, it’s not all Crawford, but he made a lot of mistakes tonight. The Blackhawks need to help him out more defensively, they looked sluggish and couldn’t get control of the puck to save their lives. It was bad.

The issue now is, who do the Blackhawks turn to if they wanted to switch the goalies? Malcolm Subban? Collin Delia? Well, something has to be wrong with Subban, as the coaching staff obviously doesn’t trust him. They wouldn’t let him play during the regular season.

Delia has NHL experience, but this is a rough spot for him to be thrown in. Game 3 is a must-win game, is that the right time to put Delia in? If they lose Game 3, they’re pretty much done, even though they wouldn’t be mathematically out.

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After Crawford’s performance in the first two games, I don’t want to see him start Game 3… but, with no true goalie to take his spot, I don’t think the Blackhawks have a choice. Delia should get the nod but chances are he won’t. It’s just too risky to not ride with Crawford in a must-win game.