Crawford rebounds to stifle Penguins

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

It was an adventurous night for Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford.

Crawford briefly left the game in the second period after a collision. He returned and was interfered with during an apparent tying goal that was waved off and then stood firm during a late surge to secure the win.

Crawford’s strong play allowed Artem Anisimov’s third-period power-play goal to stand as the game-winner, and the Blackhawks continued their winning streak against the Pittsburgh Penguins with a 2-1 victory on Saturday night.

Anisimov scored his 10th goal of the season just 21 seconds after Pittsburgh tied the game. Gustav Forsling scored his second for the Blackhawks, who won their eighth straight against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins.

The Blackhawks, with five power-play goals in their last three games, have won three of their last four after taking two of their previous seven.

Crawford made 35 saves for Chicago, including a right-pad stop on Phil Kessel in the final 20 seconds.

In the second, Crawford left the crease to cover the puck, and the Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin clipped him in the head and was assessed an interference penalty.