Corey Crawford leads Blackhawks past Golden Knights to stay in series

Associated Press
Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020 9:59 p.m. | Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020 9:59 p.m.

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The Golden Knights’ Nicolas Roy looks for the rebound in front of Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford during the third period in Game 4 of a first-round series Sunday in Edmonton, Alberta.

The Golden Knights’ Patrick Brown is stopped by Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford during the first period in Game 4 of a first-round playoff series Sunday in Edmonton, Alberta.

The Golden Knights’ William Karlsson (left) is stopped by Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford as Olli Maatta (center) defends during the second period in Game 4 of a first-round playoff series Sunday in Edmonton, Alberta.

EDMONTON, Alberta — Corey Crawford made 46 saves in a stellar performance, and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Vegas Golden Knights 3-1 on Sunday night to stay alive in their first-round playoff series.

Drake Caggiula and Matthew Highmore scored first-period goals for the Blackhawks, and Alex DeBrincat added an empty-netter with 10 seconds left. Chicago handed Robin Lehner his first loss in a Golden Knights uniform since the goaltender was acquired in a trade with the Blackhawks in February.

Vegas suffered its first loss since arriving in Edmonton for the NHL restart. The Golden Knights will have another chance to close out the Blackhawks in Game 5 on Tuesday.

Shea Theodore scored his fourth playoff goal for Vegas in the first period when his shot from the point slipped through traffic in front of the net. But it was the only time the Golden Knights managed to beat Crawford on a night when the playoff-tested veteran was the best player on the ice.

Crawford, who was in net when Chicago won the Stanley Cup in 2013 and 2015, set a playoff career high for saves in a game that didn’t go to overtime.

Playing less than 24 hours after a 2-1 loss in Game 3, Crawford was under attack from the outset, especially after the Blackhawks took a 2-0 lead on Highmore’s unexpected goal. Highmore threw a shot on net from below the goal line and got a fortunate deflection when Lehner attempted to redirect the puck with his head but instead sent it into his net.

Theodore’s shot slipped through, but nothing else did. Crawford was up to every challenge, especially as the Golden Knights continued to test him with high shots to the glove side. Crawford made a diving save on Max Pacioretty and stuffed William Karlsson on a breakaway in the second period.

But Crawford’s best sequence might have come midway through the third period when he stopped Karlsson’s attempt with his mask, and then gloved Zach Whitecloud’s wrist shot from inside the right circle.

Chicago’s penalty killers also had a solid night. Vegas went 0 for 3 with the man advantage and has not scored a power-play goal in the series. The Blackhawks have killed off the past 14 power plays dating to its qualifying round matchup with Edmonton.

Lehner had won all seven of his starts since arriving in Vegas — three in the regular season and four in Edmonton. Lehner made 22 saves.