Both the Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators will have to face some adversity going into game number 3.
Scott Darling will start in goal for #Blackhawks in Game 3 vs. Predators.— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) April 18, 2015
Coach Joel Quenneville was quoted saying he would start the netminder that would give the Hawks the best chance to win game 3, and after a 42-stop performance in a relief appearance from the start of the second period on Wednesday, in his mind it is Scott Darling. With starter Corey Crawford giving up nine goals on 45 shots in this series, one can’t blame Coach Q.
Still, he’s going to take it game by game.
“Crow has been our starter here every game for a long stretch of games here. Everybody assumes he’s going to be your guy and well this year Scotty came in and played one of those games that was an amazing performance and put us in a pretty good spot. Still a lot of hockey to be played here but we’re looking forward to (Darling) getting in the net.”
Darling in the regular season went 9-4 and posted a .936 save percentage alongside a 1.94 GAA, pushing then-backup Antti Raanta to the AHL.
While the Hawks face a big question mark in goal, the Preds will be without their number one defenseman.
Shea Weber will not make the trip and further information will be provided Wednesday. Mike Fisher is day-to-day and will travel to Chicago. — KWilsonPreds (@KWilsonPreds) April 18, 2015
A proven number one defenseman, Shea Weber and his 108 MPH slapshot bring a presence the Predators just cannot replace. Weber and Roman Josi arguably have been one of the best defensive tandems in the National Hockey League, and at least for the next two games in the Madhouse, they will not have his services. Weber and Josi combined for 30 goals and 100 points in the regular season, and the latter is a strong Norris candidate playing alongside the 29-year old veteran.
His absence will likely increase minutes for guys like veteran Cody Franson, Seth Jones, and Mattias Ekholm, the latter of the two in the top 15 in terms of Corsi ratio, with Jones at 15 with a +181 ratio and Ekholm at number 5 with a +282 ratio.
With the series tied and at this point a best-of-five, each storyline could be crucial in one team winning the series, and the other thinking of what could have been.
Quotes courtesy of Chicago Tribune and Chris Kuc
Main Photo:
