otout over the Dallas Stars.The Blackhawks can handle being at the back end of a seven-game road trip, even against one of the fastest opponents in the league. They can change the momentum of a game with their determination and talent, and they can survive 11 rounds of a shootout, too.[+] EnlargeJerome Miron/USA TODAY SportsBen Smith scored in the 11th round of the shootout to push the Blackhawks to victory.Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville had to know his group would rally for a win behind the first shootout goal of Ben Smith's career. Or at least hope so."I had a lot of confidence in Ben," Quenneville said with a smile.Quenneville has a lot of confidence in his team. The Blackhawks are at a league-best 42 points after grabbing their fifth win in six games on a 12-day trip that will conclude Saturday in Phoenix. Chicago is a blistering 10-3-1 on the road. The Blackhawks have built that record by overcoming three 1-0 third-period deficits on this trip, the latest Friday night.Patrick Sharp scored the equalizer at 7:21 of the third period to give the Blackhawks a lift after the well-rested Stars, in the second game of a three-game homestand, outplayed Chicago for the first two periods. The Stars were all over the place, and goalie Corey Crawford had to be perfect after gift-wrapping a goal to Rich Peverley late in the first period."The pace was incredible," Quenneville said. "That first period was a tremendous pace. [The Stars] work hard, and they have a lot of speed on you. They keep pressure on you. I thought we hung in there well. Crawford was rock-solid and great in the shootout as well. It was one of those games. It was tight and we had to do things quickly, and its pretty remarkable that weve had three games in the last four where it was 1-0 going into the third and we found a way to win. We showed great character tonight."Crawford kept the Blackhawks in the game by stopping Alex Chiasson on a penalty shot just more than two minutes into the second period with Chicago already down 1-0. Chiasson hit the left post,Troy Brouwer Authentic Red Jersey, making Crawford a perfect 8-for-8 on penalty shots for his career."We work on it sometimes in practice," Crawford said. "Its a key situation in the game. Its important if we go down by two goals. I was just trying to come up with a save and keep our team in it."Crawford again had to be perfect in the shootout after Peverley kept the Stars alive with a wrist shot that got past the Blackhawks goalie in the third round. Crawford and Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen stopped every shot for the next seven rounds,Ben Eager Authentic Red Jersey, and when Dallas rookie Valeri Nichushkin missed to start the 11th round, that gave Smith a chance to be the hero and get the Blackhawks to Phoenix with a shootout win.Smith had watched how his teammates tried to beat Lehtonen low during the shootout, playing to the Dallas goalies strength. So Smith decided to go up high, and he was able to get a wrist shot up over Lehtonens glove and shoulder for the game winner."I was watching the guys," Smith said. I was hoping I didnt have to go,Patrick Sharp Authentic Black Jersey, but I wanted to go. I was hoping it didnt get to that point. To get the opportunity and Crawford came up with the big save, many big saves. To be able to bury that was nice."
CHICAGO -- Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford never admitted to being tired while he made 15 consecutive appearances, but he was willing to say Monday he was pleased with some recent time off.Rookie goaltender Antti Raanta started in place of Crawford twice during the Blackhawks' seven-game road trip. Crawford said Monday he believes having a reliable backup will benefit him and the team going forward."It'll definitely be good," Crawford said after practice. "We have a lot of back-to-backs. It's definitely helped with a little more energy. [Raanta has] played well, too, and we were able to get some wins. [Blackhawks coach] Joel [Quenneville] probably won't be shy to put him in once in a while. "I think it's only good. It worked well for us last year with [Ray] Emery, having two guys going."Crawford and Emery split the starting duties close to 60/40