Darling Named Starter for Game 6 Saturday vs. Predators

Darling has started the Hawks' last three games

The Chicago Blackhawks gave up five goals and dropped a 5-2 decision in Game 5 of their series against the Nashville Predators, but the loss does not mean that the team will make a change in goal as Scott Darling will start in Game 6 Saturday evening.

Darling, who took over for Corey Crawford as the starter before Game 3 of the series after Crawford allowed nine goals in just four periods of play, has been excellent so far in the playoffs, but he had a rough go of things on Thursday night as the Predators struck for three straight goals in the third period, putting the Blackhawks on their heels and ultimately forcing a Game 6 in Chicago.

“(Goaltending coach) Jimmy Waite feels comfortable and confident Scott’s going to get the job done,” Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville said of the decision to start Darling in net.

Quenneville did not rule out a return to Crawford as the goaltender if the series goes to a Game 7 (which would be played on Monday night in Nashville if it’s necessary), but the rest of the team seems confident in Darling to get the job done on Saturday night.

“Coach kind of runs with the hot goalie,” Bryan Bickell said in a conference call on Friday afternoon. “It shows our depth at that position and the confidence that we have in both goalies.”
 

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