BLOG: Crawford Nominated for 2020 Masterton Trophy

Blackhawks netminder Corey Crawford has been named Chicago's nominee for the 2020 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, as voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association.

The trophy -- named after Bill Masterton, the only player in NHL history to die as a direct result of injuries suffered during a game -- is awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to the sport. Local PHWA chapters nominate one player from their respective team to determine the voting pool for the trophy.

Crawford played in 40 games (out of 70 total) for the first time since 2016-17, rebounding from

a pair of concussion-derailed seasons

to once again stake claim as the Blackhawks' go-to guy in net. Had the full regular season slate of 82 games been completed, he likely would've started in at least 50 games, a feat he has accomplished all but three times prior since the 2010-11 campaign.

Down the stretch, Crawford was one of the leauge's top netminders, including a fifth-best .928 save percentage and his sixth-best 2.35 goals-against average (since Jan. 1, min. 15 appearances). He allowed two goals or fewer in 13 of his last 20 starts to end the regular season.

Only two Blackhawks have ever been awarded the Masterton Trophy: Pit Martin (1970) and Bryan Berard (2004). Former Blackhawks netminder Robin Lehner was the Masterton Trophy winner a year ago and split time with Crawford for much of the season before being traded to Vegas on Feb. 24.