Just when Tampa thinks it has a tap-in goal, Corey Crawford does this
The Chicago Blackhawks' Corey Crawford has been one of the best goalies in the NHL this season and he showed why on a bang-bang play vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night.
With the score tied at one in the first period, Lightning forward Ryan Callahan took the puck to the net and threw a tricky backhander on goal, forcing Crawford to make an athletic save from deep in the crease. However, the rebound kicked out onto the stick of J.T. Brown, who had a whole lot of net to shoot at. Crawford was down, but was he out? No way:
Yes, Crawford kept that puck out. No, we don't know how. #CHIvsTBL https://t.co/mflmAVN2pQ
— NHL (@NHL) January 22, 2016
It’s OK to clap, Lightning fans. We won’t tell anyone. Plus, Tampa won the game anyway, 2-1.
Crawford has had a great season so far, ranking first in shutouts, second in wins, and fourth in save percentage, but the Lightning don’t need those stats to know how good the Chicago netminder can be. The Blackhawks, of course, defeated Tampa in six games to win the Stanley Cup last season, digging out of a 2-1 series deficit thanks in part to Crawford, who allowed a meager three goals in the last three games of the Finals.
