The worst of Corey Crawford
The Chicago Blackhawks fell behind the Los Angeles Kings three games to one in the Western Conference Final on Monday night, dropping Game 4 by a final score of 5-2. Goaltender Corey Crawford has received his share of both praise and criticism throughout the Blackhawks playoff run. With three consecutive losses, it's criticism that has taken a stronghold in the conversation surrounding Crawford.
If the Blackhawks are indeed finished, it could be a long summer for Crawford, who will be on the receiving end of a wealth of condemnation. The 29-year old is set to earn $6.5 million for 2014-15 in the first year of a six-year, $36 million deal. Blackhawks fans might not be as eager as Crawford for that new contract to kick in.
It's not that Crawford is a terrible goaltender by any means. He's not exactly outstanding either. Maybe it's just that Crawford's ability to earn is set to eclipse his ability to stop pucks. That's not a favorable situation for one side of this marriage. While he's got a Stanley Cup to his credit, and league average-ish career numbers, when Corey Crawford fails he does so spectacularly.
Here is the worst of Corey Crawford.
Kevin Klein beats Crawford from center ice
Former Nashville Predators defenseman and current New York Ranger Kevin Klein has scored 17 goals in his career. This is one of them.
Corey Crawford gets a science lesson
The laws of physics take a loss to Corey Crawford as this puck somehow finds its way into the net.
On the receiving end of Sam Gagner's 8-point night
Not that Sam Gagner's historic performance can be pinned on Crawford alone, but the Blackhawks goaltender was in goal for six of the Oilers forward's eight points in this February of 2012 meeting.
Crawford makes Clutterbuck look like a sniper
Minnesota's hit tracking person probably missed this one while penciling in Cal Clutterbuck for a few ghost checks. It appears as though Crawford has good sight lines here, but the puck floats right past him.
You gotta be careful of those 50-footers
Clearly, the book on Crawford reads "wobble 'em from 50-feet away and he's dead meat."
Crawford drops F-bombs at Blackhawks victory parade
You give a hockey player an early start on the bottle and he's bound to end up straying from the standard canned material on the microphone. Crawford accepts The Belt from Patrick Kane and goes on to drop a couple F-bombs and note the extent to which his teammates worked their 'nuts' off. Did we say this was a worst of collection? This is kinda the best.
Crawford plays the punchline in Blackhawks White House visit
Crawford's loose language at the Blackhawk's 2013 victory parade set him up for some ribbing from President Obama. You know you're in a bad spot when Obama won't let you talk. He let Jay Carney take the microphone.
A total collapse on defense
Crawford attempts to play the puck, but takes a bump from his own defenseman, giving Kyle Chipchura more net than he's seen in his entire career.