Right except...

Emery's hurt.

Because he always gets hurt.

Because he's not built to handle the #1 goalie workload anymore.

Which is why he was signed as a Backup.

We saw this last year.

We saw this the year before in Anaheim.

We saw it when the Hawks faced Philadelphia and Micheal Leighton because Emery was on the operating table.

But this year will be different....

You know..... because we want it to be.

I think Emery's been great this year. Better than I ever thought he'd be. And I get why people don't trust Crawford. I don't understand why they hate him as they do. But if you don't have confidence in Crawford because of last year's playoffs, that's more than fair.

But it won't be a matter of if Razor breaks down, it will simply be a matter of when.

Assuming Emery comes back.

Because he's hurt.

Because that's what a #1 workload does to him.
- yahoodi

No one is making Emory the indefinite #1 job. The point is he should start the playoffs. If he gets hurt or wears down you move to Crawford.

There is no doubt the team clear rebounds and seems stronger in front of Emory this year and Crawford is shaky. If Crawford plays the last few games in control and shuts teams down I am sure they will go with him but Emory should be a quick 1a.

Team Razor! But one thing that drives me crazy is when people say CC played great after giving up one horrible goal and one soft one. So???? Most NHL goals save the puck almost all of the time. Did you see the two goals we scored? Smith had zero chance, and he saved everything else even though we out chanced them by a million. Either way we will have the worst goalie in the playoffs, so hopefully the 18 guys bring it and figure out how to score playoff goals

Team Razor! But one thing that drives me crazy is when people say CC played great after giving up one horrible goal and one soft one. So???? Most NHL goals save the puck almost all of the time. Did you see the two goals we scored? Smith had zero chance, and he saved everything else even though we out chanced them by a million. Either way we will have the worst goalie in the playoffs, so hopefully the 18 guys bring it and figure out how to score playoff goals
- rollpards19

Don't know about "worst goalie in the play-offs" - probably not true - but more than scoring play-off goals, hopefully 18 guys bring their defensive focus and convincingly protect their goalie, whether Crawford or Emery.

If not - they probably lose with either.

You could be right.
- John Jaeckel

He looked terrible in the first regulation loss to the Avs. So did the rest of the team but, to me, it seems like Crawford has trouble with big games/moments. After 11's Nucks series I thought he could be it. Even though the final goal was soft. Last year against PH I just though his bad goals came at the worst possible times.

JJ, what are their options if Crawford can't cut it. Mike Smith is UFA? Luongo should be amnestied? Not sure which signing would cause me to hold my nose more....

Or is the FO simply so obsessed with the Detroit model they will continue to go for no names who may surprise them? How many Niemis do they think they can come up with?

I doubt Hutton gets a start as long as this TEAM is in contention for the Jennings
- nathanjf

I thought it could have been - and should have been - last night. Couldn't have played worse than Crow - oh well maybe.

Crawford's lateral movement in the shootouts is equivalent to someone that may have one or no legs. He was just plain embarrassing. Clearly the book is out on him.

Don't know about "worst goalie in the play-offs" - probably not true - but more than scoring play-off goals, hopefully 18 guys bring their defensive focus and convincingly protect their goalie, whether Crawford or Emery.

If not - they probably lose with either.
- StLBravesFan

StL, I agree with a lot of what you say, but either one will be the worst going in, not saying they will play the worst, just that no other team would give up their goalie for ours.

List of better goalies (not that these goalies are all great, because they aren't, but the Hawks would certainly rather have them for a series than our guys): MAF, Rask, Holtby (playing really well), Price, Reimer, Anderson, Nabokov (always underrated), Hank. Hiller, Schneider/Luongo (both better), Quick, Niemi, Elliot (probably the most questionable one), Backstrom, Bob. CC or Razor is probably the worst out of that group, but we have a top 3 line-up, so hopefully one gets hot.

Don't know about "worst goalie in the play-offs" - probably not true - but more than scoring play-off goals, hopefully 18 guys bring their defensive focus and convincingly protect their goalie, whether Crawford or Emery.

If not - they probably lose with either.
- StLBravesFan

Absolutely agree with you on this.

Think Brian Elliott is a better goalie than Crawford? Absolutely borderline NHL'er until Hitchcock installed the defensive system in St.Louis last year then he melted down in the playoffs against LA. Then started this season playing terrible but then the Blues bring in Bouwmeester and Jordan Leopold to shore up their defence and now Elliott is Terry Sawchuk reincarnated. There is a connection.

Think Chris Osgood was anywhere near the best 'tender in the league ever? Probably the worst goalie to ever get to 400 NHL wins and how many Stanley Cups?

Crawford will likely never win the Hawks a series by himself but he also won't be the only reason they lose.

Maybe Emery does get a chance and leads the Hawks to the promise land but...

When saying he has been "better" this season it can't be forgotten...
Crawford has started 8 more games and has faced 245 more shots, so being close statsitcally doesn't reflect an exact picture.

Crawford has had more opportunity to fail...

Today's story...

Coyotes Edge Hawks 3-2 in Shootout - Possible 1st round opponent? http://hockeyindependent....m/blog/al-cimaglia/51059/ …

Absolutely agree with you on this.

Think Brian Elliott is a better goalie than Crawford? Absolutely borderline NHL'er until Hitchcock installed the defensive system in St.Louis last year then he melted down in the playoffs against LA. Then started this season playing terrible but then the Blues bring in Bouwmeester and Jordan Leopold to shore up their defence and now Elliott is Terry Sawchuk reincarnated. There is a connection.

Think Chris Osgood was anywhere near the best 'tender in the league ever? Probably the worst goalie to ever get to 400 NHL wins and how many Stanley Cups?

Crawford will likely never win the Hawks a series by himself but he also won't be the only reason they lose.
- RickJ

Glad you added that.

Team Razor! But one thing that drives me crazy is when people say CC played great after giving up one horrible goal and one soft one. So???? Most NHL goals save the puck almost all of the time. Did you see the two goals we scored? Smith had zero chance, and he saved everything else even though we out chanced them by a million. Either way we will have the worst goalie in the playoffs, so hopefully the 18 guys bring it and figure out how to score playoff goals
- rollpards19

Either way the Hawks are blessed to have both goalies batting over 92% in save percentage.

This team wasn't constructed to pay a Rinne type goalie.....

Coyotes Edge Hawks 3-2 in Shootout - Possible 1st round opponent? http://hockeyindependent....m/blog/al-cimaglia/51059/ …

He looked terrible in the first regulation loss to the Avs. So did the rest of the team but, to me, it seems like Crawford has trouble with big games/moments. After 11's Nucks series I thought he could be it. Even though the final goal was soft. Last year against PH I just though his bad goals came at the worst possible times.

JJ, what are their options if Crawford can't cut it. Mike Smith is UFA? Luongo should be amnestied? Not sure which signing would cause me to hold my nose more....

Or is the FO simply so obsessed with the Detroit model they will continue to go for no names who may surprise them? How many Niemis do they think they can come up with?
- tredbrta

"Two Goal Corey" is fine, if that's what you get night after night in the playoffs, especially with this team in front of him.

Not sure what else is out there to upgrade the position. Let's revisit that (if necessary) in a couple of months.

He's played two playoff series. One where he was very, very good. The other where he was not good.

My opinion is they should go with Emery as the main guy. What I think they will do is go with Crawford. I hope they get the 2011 version.

Team Razor! But one thing that drives me crazy is when people say CC played great after giving up one horrible goal and one soft one. So???? Most NHL goals save the puck almost all of the time. Did you see the two goals we scored? Smith had zero chance, and he saved everything else even though we out chanced them by a million. Either way we will have the worst goalie in the playoffs, so hopefully the 18 guys bring it and figure out how to score playoff goals
- rollpards19

Smith was very, very good last night.

Absolutely agree with you on this.

Think Brian Elliott is a better goalie than Crawford? Absolutely borderline NHL'er until Hitchcock installed the defensive system in St.Louis last year then he melted down in the playoffs against LA. Then started this season playing terrible but then the Blues bring in Bouwmeester and Jordan Leopold to shore up their defence and now Elliott is Terry Sawchuk reincarnated. There is a connection.

Think Chris Osgood was anywhere near the best 'tender in the league ever? Probably the worst goalie to ever get to 400 NHL wins and how many Stanley Cups?

Crawford will likely never win the Hawks a series by himself but he also won't be the only reason they lose.
- RickJ

Where did I say they couldn't win with him? Its a team sport its never one person's fault if/when they lose. And the Hawks are no slouches defensively this year either. Crawford was an old AHL'er. But even if I concede Elliot, then we have the 15th best goalie. My point was that we're going to need score goals because goaltending is the weakest link on this team

Smith was very, very good last night.
- John Jaeckel

Smith was good. He is still a scumbag though. Acted like he had been decapitated on Bickell's penalty. Said something to Bickell after.

Also, the CI guys noted how Doan's decline has increased his dirty play. He has always been the type to throw an elbow or 2 but he has really become a douchebag the last 2 years.

Last night was no exception. Total attempt to injure Shaw and he had a very sneaky sleu foot in a crowd at the benches - I think it was on Stals. Glad the Hawks didn't over pay for that guy.

Dinah Moe Hum by Frank Zappa, Areosmith also used that line in a song, the name of which alludes me at the moment.
- paulr

Saw FZ at NIU for the "Zoot Allures" tour back in the day! Then got to see him at the Uptown Theater(?) around the time when "Live in New York" came out. Very under rated guitar player!
And yeah, I am that old.

Where did I say they couldn't win with him? Its a team sport its never one person's fault if/when they lose. And the Hawks are no slouches defensively this year either. Crawford was an old AHL'er. But even if I concede Elliot, then we have the 15th best goalie. My point was that we're going to need score goals because goaltending is the weakest link on this team
- rollpards19

Well, if you believe in the theory that you are only as strong as your weakest link.......

All of those goalie names you listed are simply your evaluation of their capabilities. You are only correct if they play well and win a series and Crawford doesn't. Many will blame MA Fleury for costing the Penguins the series against Philly last year; has Niemi been any good since 2010?; Backstrom, Reimer, Hiller/Fasth, Schneider, Jimmy Howard, Craig Anderson/Robin Lehner - what the hell have those guys ever won?

The point is that I would rather have the best team in front of an average to good goaltender than a bunch of stiffs trying to win in front of an all word 'keeper. The Nashville/Phoenix/Calgary model doesn't work very often.

Smith was good. He is still a scumbag though. Acted like he had been decapitated on Bickell's penalty. Said something to Bickell after.

Also, the CI guys noted how Doan's decline has increased his dirty play. He has always been the type to throw an elbow or 2 but he has really become a douchebag the last 2 years.

Last night was no exception. Total attempt to injure Shaw and he had a very sneaky sleu foot in a crowd at the benches - I think it was on Stals. Glad the Hawks didn't over pay for that guy.
- tredbrta

Bicks BARELY PHUCKING TOUCHED HIM....PHUCKING JOKE

Well, if you believe in the theory that you are only as strong as your weakest link.......

All of those goalie names you listed are simply your evaluation of their capabilities. You are only correct if they play well and win a series and Crawford doesn't. Many will blame MA Fleury for costing the Penguins the series against Philly last year; has Niemi been any good since 2010?; Backstrom, Reimer, Hiller/Fasth, Schneider, Jimmy Howard, Craig Anderson/Robin Lehner - what the hell have those guys ever won?

The point is that I would rather have the best team in front of an average to good goaltender than a bunch of stiffs trying to win in front of an all word 'keeper. The Nashville/Phoenix/Calgary model doesn't work very often.
- RickJ

True dat.

Saw FZ at NIU for the "Zoot Allures" tour back in the day! Then got to see him at the Uptown Theater(?) around the time when "Live in New York" came out. Very under rated guitar player!
And yeah, I am that old.
- Studebakerhawk

He was a very underraed musician. Period. I saw him.. Jerry Garcia opened up for him before the touch of gray grateful dead reunion tour. Hardly anybody was there at the beginning of the show to see Garcia

Even though it wasn't a "must win" game, I expected more of a statement from CC. Especially after the game he had on Friday, the start we had on Smith, and how good Smith was looking. If he had been on, we'd probably all feel a lot better about CC starting, and not worrying over Razor's condition quite as much. CC may have gone out with the mindset that he would be the #1 goalie to start the playoffs, but he didn't demonstrate it, in my opinion. This would've been a nice game to show you're #1, and make the choice easy for Q. Especially against the goalie and team who bounced us last year.

>Nothing like a goalie debate to "wind" everybody up
>As mentioned since the Huet days, by so many, with much hockey experience:
There is nothing worse than a soft goal
>It gives teams that struggle to score the confidence that they now can "score from anywhere"
>It has players that are on the softie's team subconsciously change the way they play and they either try to do too much -- or lose all their adrenaline and stand around and do nothing -- both reactions usually lead to team losses
>Crawford was not mentally ready to play against Nashville and his general demeanor against the Coyotes was not that of a goalie exuding confidence
>Think it is fair to say that Crawford's home game preparation is nowhere near as good as his road prep
>If I'm the Hawks braintrust, I'm comparing the difference between those routines -- right now
>Crawford often looks like a goalie whose mind wanders when he plays at home -- it's imperative he stays in the present moment as much as possible
>The Blackhawks have a strong chance to win the Cup, but whoever is in net just needs to do their job, nothing more, nothing less

That you have to go back so many years kind of proves the point that it's not in the mindset of current NHL operations.
- StLBravesFan

Because it's not in vogue currently doesn't mean it won't work.

Crawford or Emery. The team in front of them will decide how far the Hawks go.

The debate will be who sits when they finally bring Pirri in, is it Shaw?

Or maybe he comes in when they suffer an injury, or they struggle scoring goals.

I would like to see Bolland between Bickell and Stalberg, uncage the rat!

Well, if you believe in the theory that you are only as strong as your weakest link.......

All of those goalie names you listed are simply your evaluation of their capabilities. You are only correct if they play well and win a series and Crawford doesn't. Many will blame MA Fleury for costing the Penguins the series against Philly last year; has Niemi been any good since 2010?; Backstrom, Reimer, Hiller/Fasth, Schneider, Jimmy Howard, Craig Anderson/Robin Lehner - what the hell have those guys ever won?

The point is that I would rather have the best team in front of an average to good goaltender than a bunch of stiffs trying to win in front of an all word 'keeper. The Nashville/Phoenix/Calgary model doesn't work very often.
- RickJ

The point is I said they are going to have to better at playoff scoring than they were since they lost the depth since their goalies are undoubtedly in the lower tier of playoff goalies. And I don't believe you're only as strong as your weakest link, it just means your strongest links have to be that much better.

The bolded is true, but the thing is Boston and LA and Van are really good teams, with really good goalies. And you must not have seen Niemi at all this year, because he has been spectacular and the Sharks can't score at all.