VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Corey Crawford will make his 11th straight start Sunday night as the Circus Trip reaches the halfway point with a date against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena.

Antti Raanta was scheduled to get the start Saturday night against the Edmonton Oilers, but the Finn fell ill following Saturday’s morning skate, opening the door for Crawford to slot in at Edmonton. Crawford made 24 saves on 25 shots to earn his ninth victory of the season.

According to Chicago coach Joel Quenneville, Raanta is feeling better Sunday but isn’t yet ready to go in a starting capacity.

“We'll probably do what we did with him last night, tonight,” Quenneville said of having Raanta off the bench and in the dressing room. “We’ll see how he feels. That’s probably where he’ll start the game, anyway.”

Shaw 'getting close'

The Blackhawks will once again be without the services of Andrew Shaw, who will miss his third straight game with an upper-body injury. Shaw did skate Sunday morning for the first time since Wednesday’s practice in Chicago but isn’t quite ready as he returns from what Quenneville originally figured to be a “short-term” ailment.

“He’s doing much better,” Quenneville said. “He wanted to play tonight. He’s close.”

Delightful debuts

Ben Smith assumed one of the vacant positions at center before Phillip Danault was recalled late Friday afternoon.

Danault has recorded three goals and seven assists for 10 points in 14 games this season with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs. Playing over 11 minutes on a line with Bryan Bickell and Daniel Carcillo, the 21-year-old amassed three hits and an even rating in his NHL debut Saturday, earning praise from the normally reserved Hawks head coach.

“Excellent,” Quenneville said, commending the youngster’s “tenacious” performance in Saturday’s 7-1 rout of the Oilers.

The same can be said of Adam Clendening, who scored in his NHL debut Thursday, then added his first assist and second point of the season in Edmonton.

Clendening and Danault will be in the lineup again Sunday night.

“Both players have done well in the time we’ve seen them,” Quenneville said. “It’s important we keep that going and reward them for their contributions so far. It will be a tough test tonight. Vancouver’s playing very well, so we’re excited to see how the guys handle it.”

It’s unclear which defenseman will sit out in Clendening’s place -- Michal Rozsival or David Rundblad.