Crawford made 40 saves and the Blackhawks defeated the Canadiens 4-2 on Tuesday night to take the lead atop the Western Conference standings. ''Playing here in front of family and friends is always special,'' said Crawford, who has never lost to the Habs in regulation time (7-0-2). Crawford withstood a flurry of shots at the end of the first period to preserve Chicago's lead after Patrick Kane made it 1-0.