Forsberg fitting into Blackhawks backup plan

CHICAGO - Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Anton Forsberg knew what was expected of him when No. 1 goalie Corey Crawford sustained a lower-body injury last Thursday. Nevertheless, there's a certain amount of pressure that comes with filling in for the Blackhawks' most consistent player this season.
"Of course. He's been doing a really good job keeping us in games and winning games for us," Forsberg said of Crawford. "It's the same thing I want to do."

Forsberg has been keeping Chicago in games; winning them has been the trickier task, but that doesn't completely fall on him; with rare exception, the Blackhawks haven't given him enough production.
Chicago's scoring struggles continued on Sunday in a 3-1 loss against the Los Angeles Kings; Forsberg allowed one goal, the Kings scoring the other two into an empty net. With Forsberg expected to start against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET, NBCSN, NHL.TV), the Blackhawks need to start helping him more.
Chicago has done a great job of finding strong backup goaltenders the past several seasons. From Ray Emery to Antti Raanta to Scott Darling, when Crawford needed a break or was injured, each goaltender helped the Blackhawks keep right on going. Did they have to eke out victories without a lot of production? Sometimes. But for Forsberg, it has been a constant issue this season, and it has been frustrating for his teammates and coaches, too.
"He's fine. A 0-0 game in the third period and he's doing what he has to do to keep us in the game to get us two points," coach Joel Quenneville said of Forsberg's performance against the Kings. "It'd be nice to get him some run support."

Forsberg has played in nine games, including seven starts, when the Blackhawks have scored a total of 16 goals. Entering Wednesday, Forsberg is 1-3-3 with a 3.01 goals-against average and .914 save percentage.
"Obviously it's a little bit frustrating not getting the win," said Forsberg, who has felt better with the consistent starts. "But I can't do anything else. Just keep playing the way I've been doing and focus on my game. I feel more comfortable and I feel like I keep up with the pace and better reads. It's a big difference."
Keep this in mind about the Blackhawks offense this season: it has been up and down, and even Crawford has lacked goal support. After the Blackhawks had lopsided wins in their first two regular-season games, 10-1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins and 5-1 against the Columbus Blue Jackets, they scored 22 total goals in Crawford's next 11 starts. He went 5-5-0. The offense returned for Crawford through most of November, the Blackhawks scoring 29 goals in his next seven starts. It really hasn't for Forsberg.
"Again, a great effort by [Forsberg], and he's been good for us, especially in these back-to-backs where he picks up behind [Crawford]." said center Jonathan Toews, who scored the Blackhawks' only goal Sunday. "We just can't quite seem to get some offense and give him a little padding, give him a little breathing room. He's doing everything we need him to do in there. We just need to support him and create some offense and find some ways to get some wins for him."

Quenneville said Crawford could return on Friday, when the Blackhawks host the Buffalo Sabres. Crawford is expected to skate this week and then be re-evaluated. Whenever Crawford comes back, Forsberg has shown he's a valuable part of the Blackhawks and will definitely be needed.
Backup goaltenders usually don't get a lot of opportunities, and when they do, the message is usually the same: give the team a chance to win. Forsberg has done that; he has helped the Blackhawks. Now the Blackhawks have to help him.