The Chicago Blackhawks spent almost the entire 2013 regular season as the NHL's best team. They hope to carry that success into the postseason as the team begins their playoff run with an opening series against the Minnesota Wild. The Blackhawks posted a historical point's streak along with the league's best record, so a deep run at the Stanley Cup is not out of the question. However, as the team kicks off Game 1 in Minnesota, they will be without goalie Ray Emery or center Dave Bolland.
Both players are suffering from lower body injuries that have ruled them out. Head coach Joel Quenneville says they will remain day-to-day and hopes they get back to the ice really soon. Bolland's issue appears to be with his groin, which he injured in the first period of Chicago's game against Vancouver on April 22. Emery is likely to have the same thing.
In 21 appearances, Emery has gone 17-1-0 on the season with a 1.94 goals-against average and a 9.22 save percentage. With his absence, Corey Crawford will get that start inside the net. Crawfor has gone 19-5-5 in 30 games with a 1.94 GAA as well and a .926 saves percentage. Quenneville had never truly designated who would be the team's starter when the playoffs began and now he does not have to.
"I've prepared myself all year pretty well, so I'm just going to try and do the same thing I've done all year long," Crawford said during team practice.
The Blackhawks are facing off against a Wild team that was the last to qualify for the playoffs. They had to win their season finale on the road to make it into the eighth spot in the Western Conference. They have struggled with depth. If goalie Nicklas Backstrom begins to struggle, they have no one sitting behind him to pick up the slack. That will be trouble with facing off against a Chicago team that plays mistake-free hockey.
The absence of Emery could prove trouble for Chicago in Game 1. He allowed a league-low 97 non-shootout goals. However, if there is not a backup option better than Crawford. Chicago feels fine with the option of going with him in the first game.
