Chicago Blackhawks: 5 burning questions for 2018-19 season

CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 17: Brent Seabrook #7 of the Chicago Blackhawks looks down the ice in the second period against the Washington Capitals at the United Center on February 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Washington Capitals 7-1. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images) /

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Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images /

1. Corey Crawford’s Health

The Chicago Blackhawks’ 2018-19 season is going to be determined by how well Corey Crawford does in goal. When he’s healthy and at his best, few goalies are better than him. Before his season ended in December, Crawford had Vezina Trophy-caliber numbers. However, after his last game (December 23rd), the Blackhawks goaltenders were among the worst in the league.

It doesn’t matter how much Chicago improves if Crawford’s health is still an issue. The Blackhawks signed Cam Ward to be his backup, but if he has to be a starter, that doesn’t bode well for their postseason chances. He hasn’t been an above-average goaltender in over five years.

With a defense that will likely be more inexperienced than in previous years, strong goaltending will be a must for the Blackhawks. With strong play in net, Chicago’s inexperience on defense would be far less of a liability.

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If Crawford returns to form and the Blackhawks’ young players step it up, making the postseason is more plausible and might even trend towards “more probably than not”. However, it’s hard to see Chicago making the postseason without him. Crawford is a rare goaltender who can make defensive mistakes irrelevant. He’s the heart and soul of the Blackhawks, and without question, their most important player going into the 2018-19 season.

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