from Craig Custance of ESPN,

Forget trying to climb out of third place, Chicago needs to be careful here not to slip into a wild card spot.

The Nashville Predators are playing well lately and you can't count them out of moving into third place in the Central. If that happens and the Blackhawks slip into that top wildcard spot, now you're talking about a potential first round matchup between the Hawks and Los Angeles Kings. That would be absolutely crazy, a Western Conference final-type series taking place in the first round and a potential Cup winner would being sent home early.

Crawford's injury is a reminder of just how much the Blackhawks have depended on him this season, more so than in the past. He's had his best regular season and has completely shut up critics who didn't like that big contract given to him in 2013. Now, Chicago needs him back in net to making sure this recent slide doesn't become a disaster.

more on the Blackhawks and Stars from the ESPN hockey guys...