‘Razor sharp' Crawford at his best for Blackhawks

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SUNRISE, Fla.Corey Crawford said he saw just about all of the shots the Florida Panthers fired at him on Thursday night.

Good thing his game was as sharp as his vision.

Crawford stopped 41 of 43 shots and Patrick Kane had the game-winning shootout goal in the Blackhawks 3-2 triumph over the Panthers at BankAtlantic Center. It was another tight one for the Blackhawks, who are now 8-2-2 this season.

And coach Joel Quenneville said Crawford plenty of the accolades.

To me, at the end of the night it was a goalie win. He kept us in there, he said. He knows a lot of the guys (around the league) now and should be improving in all aspects, but he was razor-sharp tonight.

Our guys were letting me see the puck, pushing guys out of the way, Crawford said. I saw pretty much every shot tonight so that makes a difference.

Sean ODonnell, who played more than 21 minutes in Duncan Keiths absence, said that high number of shots is still unacceptable.

That team there, its an improved team. It was good Corey did see a lot but you still dont want that, he said. If its 32 or 33 (shots), thats a more reasonable number. When you get in the 40s youre playing with fire a little bit.

And it did hurt them late when Ed Jovanovski scored with just 2:04 remaining in regulation.

Crawford had to be at his best. The Blackhawks had a 2-0 lead early in the second period, thanks to Jonathan Toews and Panthers killer Marian Hossahe now has 31 goals in 48 career games against Florida. But then the Panthers kept pushing until Jovanovski tied it late.

Were up 2-0, and I dont know if we think its going to be a blowout or not. But thats a good team over there, said Kane, who beat Florida rookie goaltender Jacob Markstrom five-hole on the shootout winner.

The Blackhawks have had some close ones this season. Quenneville figured this one, against an improved Florida team, would be hard fought. Once again, Crawford came up big.

Awesome game. The best player on our team, no doubt about it, Kane said of Crawford. I dont know why we played like that tonight but Crawford stood tall. Thats why hes proven time and time again he should be in there. Good for him.

Cat killer

Hossa continues to be the Panthers worst nightmare. He now has 30 goals and 58 points in 48 career games, moving him to fourth-best all-time against Florida.

What is it about him and the Panthers?

It could be the air here, Hossa said to laughs. Whatever it is, too bad we dont play more games here.

Briefly

Keith (left hand) was out Thursday against Florida. His status for Friday nights game in Tampa Bay was still uncertain.

Quenneville would not say who would be in goal Friday against the Lightning; he said backup Ray Emery could play.

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