Blackhawks G Crawford hits head on post, exits

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford exited Sunday’s game against the San Jose Sharks after hitting his head on the goal post.

The incident occurred late in the first period, as San Jose winger Evander Kane and Blackhawks center Dylan Strome crashed toward the net. Crawford took the brunt of the impact from Strome and collided into the post. Kane received a penalty for interference on the play.

The incident occurred nearly a year after Crawford’s last concussion cost him most of the season — which concluded with the Blackhawks missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade.

Crawford, who won three Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks, missed 52 games last season — and did not play hockey for 10 months — while dealing with lingering concussion symptoms.

Crawford has been vague about what exactly he endured while being sidelined. When Crawford returned to action in October, he told reporters: “It feels good to be back to myself. I’m feeling clear.”

In 22 games this season, Crawford is 6-14-2 with a .903 save percentage and 3.23 GAA. Chicago entered Sunday’s game with at 10-18-6, the second-worst record in the NHL. The Blackhawks defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night to snap an eight-game losing streak.

Backup goaltender Cam Ward entered Sunday’s game in relief of Crawford. Ward, the longtime Carolina Hurricanes starting goaltender, was signed in free agency to a one-year, $3 million deal as insurance for Crawford.