Scott Darling to Start Game 3 in Blackhawks-Predators Playoff Series

Lemont’s Scott Darling will start Game 3 Sunday in the Blackhawks first-round playoff series with the Nashville Predators, his first playoff series start. The goalie’s 42-stop outing in Game 1 (23 in overtime) showed Coach Joel Quenneville that Darling has what it takes to have his teammates’ backs in a win-or-go-home series.

Starter Corey Crawford had a rough outing in Game 2. Chicago lost 6-2.

”Scotty’s coming off a spectacular outing and his play is deserving of a start at home. He deserves it based on how we’ll he’s played.”

~ Chicago Blackhawks Coach Joel Quenneville

The game starts at 2 p.m.

“Obviously it’s a tough choice, knowing both had consideration. Scotty’s coming off a spectacular outing and his play is deserving of a start at home. He deserves it based on how we’ll he’s played,” Quenneville said in a Saturday afternoon conference call with reporters.

Quenneville said he’ll monitor the goaltending on a game-by-game basis.

“Things change instantly in our game. Here we are with a chance at a different decision for Game 3. That’s the business we’re in. It’s performance driven a lot of times this one is strictly because Scott’s played outstanding in the series and it’s been the differential.”

Darling played 67 minutes and 44 seconds in Game 1, a Stanley Cup playoffs record for most time without a goal in a relief appearance.

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