Chicago Blackhawks backup goalie sets NHL record in Wednesday’s playoffs relief effort against the Nashville Predators.
Scott Darling, Blackhawks rookie goalie, set an NHL record for his relief appearance in last night’s Game 1 win in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Darling, who came into the game to replace Corey Crawford, played 67:44, a Stanley Cup playoffs record for the most time without allowing a goal in a relief appearance, according to Elias. The previous record of 56:00 was set by Curtis Joseph in 2008.
Darling stopped all 42 shots he faced in relief, including 23 post regulation.
Talk about adding insult to injury for Nashville.
Crawford, who Darling replaced to start the second period, allowed three goals on just 12 shots in the first period of Wednesday night’s contest. The Blackhawks, who trailed 3-0 to start the second period, scored four unanswered goals to squeak out a 4-3 win in double overtime.
After the game last night, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville emphasized how impressive Darling’s performance was: “Today, playing a playoff game of this magnitude and that situation, that’s one of the greatest relief performances you’re going to see.”
Darling’s performance is one of playoffs legend, a phenomenon that the Blackhawks have become familiar with over the past few years. Remember “17 seconds”?
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Darling, who’s from a suburb of Chicago, grew up a Blackhawks fan. He described his experience after the game, “It was exciting, nerve-racking,” he said. “Once I got going, I felt good. It was very similar to my first game I got to play this ear. Just this dream situation to be in the Stanley Cup playoffs on the Chicago Blackhawks.”
Guiding the team you cheered for as a child to a playoff win? It doesn’t get much better than that.
Darling also became the first Blackhawks rookie goalie to earn a win in his playoff debut since Ed Belfour in a 1990 victor over the Minnesota North Stars.
Despite Darling’s impressive debut last night, Corey Crawford will be the starting goalie for Game 2 of the series, the team announced on Thursday. Said coach Quenville, “[Corey’s] been our strength all year long…Look forward to him getting back in the net tomorrow.”
Crawford was an undisputed key to the Blackhawks Stanley Cup championship run in 2013, though he certainly looked beatable last night.
The Predators must be chomping at the bit. They’ll need an impressive performance after Wednesday night’s complete collapse. Luckily for the Blackhawks, they seem to have all the momentum in the series.
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