Jim Young/Associated Press Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford is expected to make his official return to the ice for Thursday night's game against the Arizona Coyotes after being held out of action for the past 10 months because of lingering concussion symptoms. Crawford has not appeared in an NHL game since Dec. 23, 2017. "We'll see how he feels in the morning, but we expect him to play tomorrow," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said on Wednesday, per the team's official Twitter account. The Blackhawks will wait until game day to make a decision, but as of Wednesday, the veteran was ready for action. "It feels good to be back to myself," Crawford said, according to The Athletic's Mark Lazerus. "I'm feeling good, feeling clear. I'm sure I'll be a little anxious getting into it, some nerves. I'm definitely excited, I'll tell you that." Jitters aren't the only thing Crawford may have to overcome in his first game back. He may have to shake off some rust as well after being out for such a long period. However, when he's healthy and on top of his game, there have been few better than him over the years. Crawford has 230 career wins, including 23 shutouts, and has helped Chicago hoist the Stanley Cup on a pair of occasions. Prior to last season, he had made at least 55 appearances in six of his seven full seasons with the team, providing stability in net. Before the injury last season, he went 16-9-2 (including two shutouts) with a .929 save percentage and a 2.27 goals-against average in 28 games. Without Crawford, the Blackhawks struggled to a 33-39-10 record and missed out on the postseason for the first time since 2007-08. Video Play Button Videos you might like With Crawford sidelined to start the season, offseason acquisition Cam Ward has held down the fort in the crease for Chicago. The former All-Star has guided the Blackhawks to a 3-0-2 start, although he has allowed at least three goals in every game this season.<doc-sep>Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford is starting in Thursday night's game against the Arizona Coyotes, coach Joel Quenneville said after the morning skate, marking the netminder's first game action in nearly 10 months. Crawford has been sidelined since last season with lingering concussion symptoms. He said Wednesday that he was planning to play, but how he felt after the morning skate was the final hurdle. "It's exciting," Quenneville said. "I'm sure he's looking forward to it and we all are excited about him in there as well. It'll be a fun situation for the guys seeing him back in net as well, so we're looking for everybody to be excited about tonight's game." Crawford, 33, last played in a game Dec. 23, 2017. He was placed on injured reserve with a concussion four days later. Crawford played in 28 games last season, going 16-9-2 with a 2.27 goals-against average and .929 save percentage before the injury. With Crawford out, the Blackhawks missed the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. "We felt like last year was an example of how important [Crawford] was," Quenneville said. Before this season, Crawford had played in every Blackhawks season opener since 2011-12. Teammate Patrick Kane said it was great to have Crawford back, adding, "I think the whole time the organization did a great job of not trying to rush him back." The Blackhawks signed longtime Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward to a one-year, $3 million contract in free agency as insurance. Ward hasn't sparkled in his first five starts with the Blackhawks, posting a 4.07 GAA and .879 save percentage. The Blackhawks are 3-0-2 on the season, having gone to overtime in each of their first five games, an NHL record. On Thursday, they will host a Coyotes team that has struggled on offense, scoring only three goals in their first five games. Arizona's 0.60 goals per game is the worst mark in the league. Beginning with the matchup with the Coyotes, the Blackhawks have three games in the next four nights and seven in the next 11 days. "We'll see how that goes. I know that we have three right now on our roster," Quenneville said about the goaltending situation. "With three in four nights, we'll see how that plays out." To make room for Crawford on the roster, the Blackhawks sent forward Luke Johnson to the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL. Also, forward Brandon Saad was in the lineup for Thursday. He is off to a slow start this season, was demoted to the fourth line in the last game and even wore a white jersey in practice this week -- which usually indicates a player who will be scratched in the next game. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.<doc-sep>
Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford says he plans on starting in Thursday's game against the Arizona Coyotes, which would mark his first game action in nearly 10 months. Crawford, who has been sidelined since last season with lingering concussion symptoms, said the official decision will be made after he gets through Thursday's morning skate. Crawford said it's ultimately his decision. Corey Crawford says he will play Thursday vs. the Arizona Coyotes, meaning he'll return to the ice for the first time since a concussion on Dec. 23. Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire "It feels good to be back to myself," Crawford said after practice Wednesday. "I'm feeling clear." Coach Joel Quenneville was a bit more assertive on Crawford's status for Thursday, saying: "We expect him to play." The 33-year-old Crawford last played in a game Dec. 23, 2017. He was placed on injured reserve with a concussion four days later. Crawford played in 28 games last season, going 16-9-2 with a 2.27 goals-against average and .929 save percentage before the injury. With Crawford out, the Blackhawks missed the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. "We felt like last year was an example of how important [Crawford] was," Quenneville said. Before this season, Crawford had played in every Blackhawks season opener since 2011-12. Teammate Patrick Kane said it was great to have Crawford back and "I think the whole time the organization did a great job of not trying to rush him back." The Blackhawks signed longtime Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward to a one-year, $3 million contract in free agency as insurance. Ward hasn't sparkled in his first five starts with the Blackhawks, posting a 4.07 GAA and .879 save percentage. The Blackhawks are 3-0-2 on the season, having gone to overtime in each of their first five games, an NHL record. On Thursday they will host a Coyotes team that has struggled on offense, scoring only three goals in their first five games. Arizona's 0.60 goals per game is the worst mark in the league. Crawford will need to be activated from injured reserve, so a corresponding roster move will happen Thursday morning, Quenneville said. The coach has previously said he doesn't want to carry three goaltenders, so eventually backup Anton Forsberg could be put on waivers.