Blackhawks G Corey Crawford may return Friday from appendectomy

CHICAGO - Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford skated again before Sunday night's game against San Jose and could return Friday against Colorado.

Crawford had an emergency appendectomy in Philadelphia on Dec. 3.

"He was out there today with some players, so he got some good work again today,'' coach Joel Quenneville said. "Tuesday again and then practice and then we'll look at the 23rd option.''

Crawford, who turns 32 on Dec. 31, is 12-6-2 with a 2.27 goals-against average in 20 games this season. He made the All-Star team last year for the first time.

Scott Darling has started every game since Crawford's operation, going 5-2-1 with a .933 save percentage in that stretch. Quenneville said there was a discussion about starting rookie Lars Johansson against the Sharks, but they decided to stay with Darling despite signs of fatigue the past couple games.

While Darling remains in the lineup, center Artem Anisimov has been ruled out with an upper-body injury. He is day to day.

Anisimov, who has 14 goals and 13 assists, got hurt during Saturday night's 6-4 victory at St. Louis.