Crawford has announced his retirement from the NHL.

EDGE Analysis

Crawford signed a two-year deal with the Devils this offseason, but recently took an indefinite leave of absence due to personal reasons, which evidently afforded him enough time to decide to hang up his skates for good. The 36-year-old backstop played 13 NHL seasons, all with the Blackhawks, and served as Chicago's starter for 10 consecutive campaigns from 2010 to 2020, lifting Lord Stanley's Cup on two occasions over that span. Crawford will finish his career having compiled a 260-162-53 record to go along with a .918 save percentage and a 2.45 GAA.

Crawford has taken an indefinite leave of absence due to personal reasons.

EDGE Analysis

There have been rumblings of Crawford potentially considering retirement, and Friday's news only makes those rumors that much more plausible. At this point the 36-year-old backstop's status for the 2020-21 campaign is still up in the air, but it's looking increasingly likely that MacKenzie Blackwood will be serving as New Jersey's workhorse with Scott Wedgewood backing him up.

Crawford was excused from Wednesday's practice to attend to a personal matter, Corey Masisak of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Coach Lindy Ruff declined to elaborate on the specific reason for Crawford's absence, and when asked when the goaltender might be back, said "We'll deal with tomorrow then." Another update on Crawford's status should surface in the coming days.

Crawford signed a two-year, $7.8 million contract with the Devils on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Crawford posted a 2.77 GAA and a .917 save percentage in 40 appearances with the Blackhawks last season. He spent 10 years as the primary starter in Chicago, amassing a 260-162-53 record with a 2.45 GAA and a .918 save percentage in his NHL career. With the Devils, Crawford will likely compete with MacKenzie Blackwood for playing time, a situation that could result in a fairly even split of games. He'll likely be a mid-tier fantasy option on a rebuilding Devils team that projects to have a tough road ahead in the Metropolitan Division for 2020-21.

General manager Stan Bowman announced Thursday the Blackhawks will not be re-signing Crawford this offseason.

EDGE Analysis

This news comes as a bit of a shock, as many believed Crawford re-signing with the Blackhawks was a foregone conclusion when the 35-year-old netminder publicly stated playing time was more important to him than salary at this stage of his career. It's an end of an era for Chicago, who drafted Crawford with the 52nd overall pick of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft and deployed him as a full-time starter for 10 seasons spanning from 2010 to 2020, two of which ended with Stanley Cup championships. The Montreal native still believes he can be a No.1 option for an NHL club, and he'll garner plenty of interest on the open market.

Crawford gave up four goals on 39 shots in a 4-3 loss to Vegas in Tuesday's Game 5.

EDGE Analysis

Crawford was once again peppered with pucks as Vegas erased two separate deficits in the contest. Alex Tuch would put Vegas ahead early in the third period, and the Blackhawks' luck ran out. Crawford faced 30-plus shots in four out of five games during the series -- he allowed 15 goals on 187 shots for a .920 save percentage. Crawford is an unrestricted free agent ahead of the 2020-21 season.

Crawford is set to start in goal for Tuesday's Game 5 versus Vegas, Thomas Drance of The Athletic Vancouver reports.

EDGE Analysis

Crawford has staved off elimination once already, stopping 48 of 49 shots in Game 4 to keep the Blackhawks' season going. He'll likely have to bring a similar performance if he's going to force a Game 6.

Crawford stopped 48 of 49 shots Sunday in a 3-1 win over Vegas in Game 4.

EDGE Analysis

The Blackhawks were badly outshot in this one but Crawford was a stabilizing influence from beginning to end. As a result Chicago was able to stave off elimination for at least one more game. Crawford doesn't possess the prettiest numbers this postseason -- his save percentage is a pedestrian .908 through eight games -- but he has produced big saves at big moments against both Edmonton and Vegas. He'll be back between the pipes Tuesday in Game 5.

Crawford will guard the crease for Sunday's tilt with the Golden Knights, Charlie Roumeliotis of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Crawford remains the Blackhawks go-to netminder despite falling down 3-0 in the series. So far, the Golden Knights have notched 10 goals on 99 shots against him. He'll look to fight off elimination and extend the series Sunday.

Crawford yielded two goals on 26 shots in a 2-1 loss to the Golden Knights in Saturday's Game 3.

EDGE Analysis

Crawford was strong in goal, but he wasn't better than Marc-Andre Fleury at the other end of the rink. The 35-year-old Crawford has allowed 10 goals on 99 shots in three games during the series. He'll more than likely start the second half of a back-to-back in Sunday's must-win Game 4.