Ray’s the Record: Emery Off to 6-0-0 Start

Ray Emery: 6-0-0 to Start the Season for the Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks are off to a league record start, taking 16 games without a regulation loss. Praised for its depth and talented roster of skaters, Chicago also rolls deep between the pipes this season. Backup goaltender,Ray Emery, has started his season 6-0-0, contributing in a big way to the Hawks’ early success.

In a shortened season with a condensed and trying schedule, having a solid secondary option to give your starting goaltender a rest is a huge advantage for a team, but Emery is far from just a last resort.

Currently ranked 14th in the league, the Hamilton, Ontario native who signed with the Blackhawks as a free agent two years in October 2011 is only one win behind starting net-minder Corey Crawford (7-0-3).

Having already started three games on the road prior to the Hawks’ return to the MadHouse, Emery was given his first home start of the season against San Jose on Feb. 15. He has since returned to the goal against the LA Kings and Vancouver Canucks to give Crawford ample time to recover from an upper-body injury he sustained in practice, and the Hawks haven’t missed a beat.

Blackhawks Goalie Breakdown:

Goaltender	GP	W	L	OT	SA	GA	GAA	SV	Sv%
Corey Crawford	10	7	0	3	262	17	1.65	245	0.935
Ray Emery	6	6	0	0	187	14	2.28	173	0.925

Even though anything can happen in a shootout, so far Emery has been more successful between the posts in those crucial moments than his counterpart. Of the five games that have been decided in a shootout for the Blackhawks, all three losses came with Crawford in the net, while Emery takes credit for both wins. Those three SO losses are also the only three “losses” the Chicago Blackhawks have on their 13-0-3 record this year.

While Corey Crawford still undoubtably will edge Emery as the frontrunner this season, the backup goaltender is certainly playing an irreplaceable role on the Hawks’ roster, and most importantly has instilled confidence in Quenneville and his team that he can hold his own in goal.

Last 6 games for Emery:

Date	Visitor/Home	Result	GA	SA	SV	Sv%
Feb. 19	VAN@CHI	W*	3	32	29	0.906
Feb. 17	LAK@CHI	W	2	27	25	0.926
Feb. 15	SJS@CHI	W	1	28	27	0.964
Feb. 7	CHI@PHX	W	2	24	22	0.917
Feb. 2	CHI@CGY	W*	2	47	45	0.957
Jan. 20	CHI@PHX	W	4	29	25	0.962