Duncan Keith, the game’s other hero, didn’t even notice who was in net to start the second period of Game 1 against the Nashville Predators.
And the man who was yanked Wednesday in favour of the unbeatable Scott Darling was the first guy to wrap him in a double-overtime hug.
That’s how much of a non-controversy the Chicago Blackhawks’ goaltending situation is right now.
Corey Crawford — the Blackhawks’ de facto No. 1 — makes 25 times as much money as his backup. He’s the only Western Conference goaltender participating in the 2015 playoffs with a Stanley Cup ring. He should feel secure.
And Crawford will start Game 2, coach Joel Quenneville announced Thursday.
“This one was easy,” Quenneville told reporters of his decision.
There is no chance Crawford exits this post-season with a .750 save percentage and 9.00 goals-against average, his numbers after leaving a 3-0, first-period deficit in the hands of Darling.
But Crawford’s paycheque and winning history should not have prevented Darling from starting Game 2.
Hockey is a performance-based pursuit, as Quenneville himself noted when healthy-scratching Antoine Vermette for Game 1.
And what a performance.
All the rookie did was stop 42 pucks in 67:44 of perfect work and become the first netminder in 18 years to win a playoff debut in relief (Buffalo’s Steve Shields). He also snapped Curtis Joseph’s 2008 playoff record by playing the most time without allowing a goal in a relief appearance. More important, he gave Chicago a 1-0 series lead and seized home ice from Nashville.
“You just kind of get thrown into it,” Darling told reporters. “It was exciting and nerve-wracking, but once I got going, I felt good.”
Good enough for captain Jonathan Toews to strap a heavyweight belt around Darling’s waist instead of that of OT goal-scorer Keith.
Gotta See It: Jonathan Toews awards the championship belt to Scott Darling
“It was a great opportunity for him, and he seized the moment,” Quenneville said. “That was one of the greatest relief performances you’re going to see.”
But it wasn’t enough to sway Quenneville’s mind for Game 2. He wanted to go home and think about it.
Maybe he was worried about Crawford catching feelings if he started Darling in his stead. Maybe he wanted to get his No. 1 rolling now that they have a lead and the pressure is lower. But we doubt he was concerned that the team could win in front of Darling.
When Crawford rolled his ankle at a rock concert mid-season, Darling was phenomenal in relief. So good, in fact, the Blackhawks had no trouble keeping him with the big club down the stretch while sending the more highly touted Antti Raanta to the AHL (granted, Darling’s friendlier cap hit didn’t hurt).
In a smaller sample size, Darling’s numbers this season have been better than Crawford’s: 9-4-0 record to 32-20-5; 1.94 GAA to 2.27; .936 save percentage to .924.
He has also proven to be a big-game player, coming up with his first NHL shutout last month in a thrilling 1-0 duel in New York over the Rangers, the team Vegas has picked to win it all.
To believe Darling should be tapped for Game 2 is not to get caught wide-eyed by the Ryan Ellis save, nor is it to believe Crawford can’t rebound.
It is to believe sports are fluid, that adjustments must be made for the hot hand, that Darling is dialed in.
Don’t fix what isn’t broken.
(stats via Elias Sports, SN Stats, NHL.com)
