finish after a rain delay earlier Saturday eliminated several players. A

CHICAGO -- Corey Crawford has never been considered an elite goaltender. Even as the Chicago Blackhawks dominated the NHL this season, he wasnt the centre of attention on a team featuring Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Tuukka Rask was in net when the Boston Bruins blew a 3-0 series lead to the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010 and then had a great seat on the bench a year later when Tim Thomas led them to a Stanley Cup. With Thomas gone, the starting job was his. Now the young goalies are across the ice from each other in the Cup final, and in the spotlight, getting the kind of attention usually reserved for the best in the world. "Right now we have a battle of two goaltenders that are at the peak of their game," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. Its particularly a remarkable ascent for Crawford, who was once considered a weak link on the Blackhawks talented roster. During the regular season he was tied for third in the NHL with a 1.94 goals-against average and tied for fifth with a .926 save percentage as the Blackhawks captured the Presidents Trophy. In the playoffs his numbers are even better (1.73 and .936), and hes a major reason why Chicago is here, up 1-0 on the Bruins. "Obviously having a good goaltender can give the whole team a lot of confidence," defenceman Duncan Keith said. "Hes been great all playoffs and all season long. He definitely gives us that confidence, and its nice to see him get some recognition." Recognition starts with Crawford being respected as one of the better goalies in the league. But it doesnt end there. Now there is some buzz about Crawford being an option for Canadas Olympic team in Sochi in 2014, given the uncertainty surrounding the position and his strong performance this spring. There are lingering questions about Carey Price, Roberto Luongo, Cam Ward, Marc-Andre Fleury and others, but the fact that Crawford is even being touted as a possibility for Canada makes Toews happy. "I certainly think he deserves it," said Toews, who helped lift Canada to a gold medal at the 2010 Games in Vancouver. "I feel like, to get to that level, you need to have some sort of name in the media and have people know who you are. If they didnt really before, I think everyone knows who Corey Crawford is now and the influence and the effect hes had on our team all season and in this Cup run that weve had." Crawford, from Chateauguay, Que., has never played for Canada in international competition. He said he has never even got a look at a selection camp. That all could change, especially if he helps Chicago to a championship. "Im worried about winning a Stanley Cup right now," Crawford said. "Obviously that would be a huge honour. But right now there are other things to take care of." The Blackhawks are three victories away from hoisting the Cup and that has a lot to do with Crawfords stellar play. Coach Joel Quenneville praised the 26-year-olds consistency, and several teammates lauded him for being even-keeled amid chaos in the triple-overtime Game 1 victory. Being poised in that situation is a testament to how far Crawford has come. "Had to answer a lot of questions this year going into the season: What about our goaltending?" Quenneville said. "We said were very comfortable with Corey. Think hes got the capability of being a top goalie in the league." Yet for so long Crawford hasnt been thought of as even a top-10 goalie. Asked why he has constantly been overlooked, Toews and Crawford had the same response: "I dont know. You tell me." Rask hasnt had to overcome a lack of respect. Instead, his job has been to follow Thomas, who was far and away the top reason the Bruins won it all in 2011. Now the 26-year-old Finnish netminder is earning his own Conn Smythe Trophy talk. "Hes been rock solid all season, all playoffs, has been keeping us in hockey games a lot of nights," defenceman Dennis Seidenberg said. "Its nice to have him as your last backbone." Rask had to forget about past struggles, especially the playoff loss to the Flyers as a 23-year-old. Thats a distant memory now as hes at the centre of the Bruins playoff run. "I dont think it surprises any of us that hes at that elite level," Bruins forward Daniel Paille said. "I think we should consider ourselves fortunate that we have a goalie like that." The Blackhawks feel the same way, even as Crawford continues to go under-appreciated, like Antti Niemi, now a Vezina Trophy finalist with the San Jose Sharks who was in net for Chicagos 2010 Cup team. The lack of credit doesnt seem to matter much. "Hes a pressure player," Toews said. "I think we all know in this locker-room how good Corey Crawford is." Trevor Bauer Jersey . General manager Jarmo Kekalainen told Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch on Friday that he wants to see Gaboriks contributions go beyond the scoresheet before considering a long-term deal for the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent. Corey Kluber Jersey . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. http://www.indianssale.com/customized/ . "Trying to breathe," he said with a grin. Bernier stopped 42 of 43 shots on Monday night, including all 22 in a hectic middle frame, his heroic performance propelling the Leafs toward an undue point in their final game before the Christmas break. Bob Feller Jersey . Toronto has dropped games to Indiana and Miami since a five-game winning streak and closed out a three-game road trip at 1-2. Corey Kluber Indians Jersey . Three came down to the fourth quarter while quarterbacks continued to shine in all four games; so important to the overall quality of the game. CARMEL, Ind. -- Dustin Johnson plays a different game than anyone else, and he wanted to keep it that way.Right down to his putter.The U.S. Open champion made a late change just before starting the BMW Championship, and so far he has no complaints. Johnson finished with four birdies over the last five holes Saturday on soggy Crooked Stick for a 4-under 68, stretching his lead to three shots going into the final round.He is smashing his driver long and straight, just like always. He is hitting wedges good enough for multiple birdie chances.And now the putts are going in.The strength this week has been putting, Johnson said. Im rolling it really nicely. Even the putts that Im missing still look like theyre going in.He was particular about the change, though.Johnson decided to switch to the TaylorMade Spider. But right before he teed off in the opening round, he was bothered by one aspect of his new weapon. It was red, just like the model world No. 1 Jason Day uses. He recalled that his brother and caddie, Austin, had a similar model.I was putting good with it and right before we were about to tee off on Thursday, Im like, `AJ, dont you have the same one in black? And he says, `Yeah. And I said, `Go get it. I just didnt want to use the same putter Jason was -- like, the exact same one. That was really the only reason I changed.Eighteen birdies and one eagle putt later, Johnson was at 18-under 198 and closing in on his third victory of the year.Paul Casey did his best to stay with him. Casey, coming off a runner-up finish on Labor Day at the TPC Boston, matched two of Johnsons birdies during his late run until he had to scramble for pars on the last two holes. He still managed a bogey-free 68 and will be in the final group Sunday.We had a front row seat for something very special, and Ill get a front row seat for it tomorrow, Casey said.Casey missed five fairways, his most this week in any round, yet still managed to keep bogeys off his card with smart shots out of the wet rough and solid putting. And he still matched Johnsons score, even though he didnt make up any ground.Not much you can do, Casey said. Hes got maybe the best attitude in golf. When he gets on his game, maybe the best ball-striker in golf. Maybe the longest. And he showed it today..dddddddddddd So, if he keeps doing what hes been doing -- what he averaging, 6 under a day? -- if does the same tomorrow, theres no catching him.Johnson will be going for his third victory of the year, which would move him to the top of the FedEx Cup going into the finale at the Tour Championship in two weeks and make him a heavy favorite to win PGA Tour player of the year and the Vardon Trophy.Still in the mix was J.B. Holmes, who shot a 68 and was four shots behind. Holmes at least is making a compelling case to be a captains pick for the Ryder Cup when Davis Love III announces three of his selections on Monday. Holmes finished 10th in the U.S. standings.Roberto Castro, who began the third round tied for the lead, didnt make a birdie in his round of 74 and fell six shots behind. Worst yet, the Georgia Tech alum who lives in Atlanta hurt his chances of moving into the top 30 who advance to the Tour Championship.Barring a collapse by Johnson -- it has happened before -- his big finish after a rain delay earlier Saturday eliminated several players. Adam Scott finally got some putts to drop and with birdies on the last two holes, he shot a 67 and joined Matt Kuchar (68) at 11-under 205.But they finished before Johnson was done making birdies, and both were seven shots behind.Im certainly a long shot. Im a long way back of the leaders and some great names on the leaderboard, Kuchar said. But I got a chance, and golf on Sunday in fun when you have a chance.Jordan Spieth had such a poor day putting that the distance of his total putts added to 30 feet, 6 inches. Spieth routinely makes one putt from that distance in a round. He was helped by two chip-ins, one for birdie and one for eagle , but closing with two straight bogeys gave him a 68. He was 10 shots behind, and his attention turned to a strong finish with hopes of getting one of the top five seeds at East Lake in the Tour Championship.Anyone in the top five only has to win the Tour Championship to claim the FedEx Cup and its $10 million bonus.Other Ryder Cup hopefuls didnt shine. Bubba Watson had to settle for a 72, while Rickie Fowler shot 71 and was tied for 59th. ' ' '