Crawford stars as Blackhawks beat Golden Knights 3-1

© Provided by Associated Press Vegas Golden Knights’ Nicolas Roy (10) looks for the rebound off Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) during the third period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Corey Crawford made 46 saves in a stellar performance, and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Vegas Golden Knights 3-1 on Sunday night to stay alive in their first-round playoff series.

Drake Caggiula and Matthew Highmore scored first-period goals for the Blackhawks, and Alex DeBrincat added an empty-netter with 10 seconds left. Chicago handed Robin Lehner his first loss in a Golden Knights uniform since the goaltender was acquired in a trade with the Blackhawks in February.

Vegas suffered its first loss since arriving in Edmonton for the NHL restart. The Golden Knights will have another chance to close out the Blackhawks in Game 5 on Tuesday.

© Provided by Associated Press Vegas Golden Knights’ Patrick Brown (38) is stopped by Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) during the first period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Shea Theodore scored his fourth playoff goal for Vegas in the first period when his shot from the point slipped through traffic in front of the net. But it was the only time the Golden Knights managed to beat Crawford on a night when the playoff-tested veteran was the best player on the ice.

© Provided by Associated Press Vegas Golden Knights’ William Karlsson (71) is stopped by Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) as Olli Maatta (6) defends during the second period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Crawford, who was in net when Chicago won the Stanley Cup in 2013 and 2015, set a playoff career high for saves in a game that didn’t go to overtime.

Playing less than 24 hours after a 2-1 loss in Game 3, Crawford was under attack from the outset, especially after the Blackhawks took a 2-0 lead on Highmore’s unexpected goal. Highmore threw a shot on net from below the goal line and got a fortunate deflection when Lehner attempted to redirect the puck with his head, but instead sent it into his net.

© Provided by Associated Press Chicago Blackhawks’ Matthew Highmore (36) and Duncan Keith (2) celebrate a goal during first-period NHL Western Conference Stanley Cup playoff hockey action against the Vegas Golden Knights in Edmonton, Alberta, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Theodore’s shot slipped through, but nothing else did. Crawford was up to every challenge, especially as the Golden Knights continued to test him with high shots to the glove side. Crawford made a diving save on Max Pacioretty and stuffed William Karlsson on a breakaway in the second period.

© Provided by Associated Press Vegas Golden Knights’ Nick Cousins (21) is stopped by Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) during the third period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

But Crawford’s best sequence may have come midway through the third period when he stopped Karlsson’s attempt with his mask, and then gloved Zach Whitecloud’s wrist shot from inside the right circle.

Chicago’s penalty killers also had a solid night. Vegas went 0 for 3 with the man advantage and has not scored a power-play goal in the series. The Blackhawks have killed off the past 14 power plays dating to its qualifying round matchup with Edmonton.

Lehner had won all seven of his starts since arriving in Vegas — three in the regular season and four in Edmonton. Lehner made 22 saves.

NOTES: D Duncan Keith moved into fifth place on Chicago’s career list for playoff assists with 68, moving ahead of Bobby Hull. Keith assisted on Highmore’s goal. … Chicago blocked 32 shots. … Vegas had not trailed in the series until Caggiula’s goal.

© Provided by Associated Press Vegas Golden Knights goalie Robin Lehner (90) makes a save on Chicago Blackhawks’ Ryan Carpenter (22) during the third period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

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