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Blackhawks v Golden Knights: Did Corey Crawfords game-winning performance just make him Chicago's best ever goalie?

His 48 saves in Sunday's game helped the Blackhawks live to see another day by fending off elimination and winning 3-1

The Chicago Blackhawks have goalie Corey Crawford to thank for on Sunday after his stellar performance saw them steal a win from the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 4 with the final scoreline reading 3-1. His 48 saves in the game helped the Blackhawks live to see another day by fending off elimination. On his day, Crawford is a man that just doesn't let the puck pass through. Sunday was one such day where he fought a game 3 loss to rebound back in style.

Crawford has won two Stanley Cup championships with the Blackhawks in 2013 and 2015 and this time, the 35-year-old proved he still had it in him as he made save after save in the most clinical fashion ever. Ahead of the 2019-20 season, Robin Lehner was signed by Chicago for a one-year deal with the idea of both their goalies sharing time on the crease. The following year, Lehner went to the Golden Knights and Crawford was back in action.

Not before a coronavirus outbreak halted his progress before he finished the regular season with a .917 save percentage, 2.77 GAA, and one shutout. He rejoined the team when they were prepping for the Stanley Cup Playoffs ahead of the start of the qualifying round.

According to ESPN, talking about his performance and approach, Crawford said, "I think for the most part we kept them to the outside when they did have those looks where they had maybe a second or two to hold it and shoot. It wasn't really coming from the middle, so that helps me a lot to be on the angle and give up less net."

Fans on social media were lavish in their praise of the goalie as well. "Corey Crawford is the best goaltender I will die on that hill. And tbh I would die for that man," one of fans commented.

"Sometimes, you just throw the numbers out and go with the basics. The Golden Knights were great, but Corey Crawford was better."

"From now on if I see ANY Corey Crawford slander on my timeline, you are getting blocked and reported," wrote one of the fans.

It wasn't an easy start for Crawford. Back in 2010-11 season, he was cooling his heels on the benches as the Blackhawks went with veteran Ray Emery. In his second season, he became the first Blackhawks goalie to win at least 30 games in back-to-back seasons since legend Ed Belfour did it in the 1992–93 and 1993–94 seasons. The previous season wasn't a bad outing for Crawford either as he ended it with a .902 save percentage and 3.28 goals-against average up to that point in the season.

With this, the Blackhawks will be looking to notch up one more win and put the Golden Knights under pressure when they lock horns again on August 18. And while at it, they'll hope for Crawford to do an encore.