Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane Probable for Playoffs

According to Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane has been cleared for contact and might be ready to reenter the lineup for Game 1 of the team’s playoff series against the Nashville Predators. Kane suffered a broken collarbone on Feb. 24, sidelining him for the last 21 games of the regular season. 

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Originally, Kane was expected to miss 12 weeks after he had surgery on Feb. 25 meaning the Hawks would have to get to the Western Conference final in order to see Kane back on the ice. But luckily for Chicago, Kane has been ahead of schedule the entire recovery process. He started skating again on March 20 and began practicing with the team, in a non-contact jersey, on April 1.

After practice on Monday, both Kane and head coach Joel Quenneville were pleased with what they saw on the ice and are optimistic about his return to the lineup. Of course, neither wants to rush the return because nothing would be worse than having him reinjure the area and sidelining him indefinitely. Kane will have to be medically cleared by the team doctors and evaluate how he feels during and after Tuesday’s practice. If Kane can in fact play, the Chicago Blackhawks will become a much more potent team.

Kane’s hands alone are probably envied by a majority of players in the NHL. He has unbelievable puck handling skills and ended the season second on the team in points behind Jonathan Toews, despite having missed 21 games. Kane recorded 27 goals, including six power play goals and five game-winning goals, and 37 assists in 61 regular season games. He was also an integral part of the team’s two Stanley Cup championships in the past five seasons. And in 93 career postseason games, Kane has tallied 37 goals and 54 assists. 

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If he weren’t an important part to the team’s success would fans have made a shrine for him outside a Chicago bar? I don’t think so. Fans wanted him to have a speedy recovery and, as it seems, he has done just that. The shrine worked!

Everyone knows what his return means for the Blackhawks’ offense and that means he will have a target on his back from the get go. He can handle the puck and his speed is back, but the question is can he take a hit? The Predators know the danger he poses and will not hold back on him, so Kane better be ready because that collarbone will be tested.

In his absence, Chicago proved it could win without Kane as the team went 12-8-1 to end the season with a 48-28-6 record. But everyone in the locker room still wants him back in the lineup because he adds more depth and another dynamic to the team. Their offense needs him and each and every Blackhawk will gladly accept him into the lineup with open arms.

Check out Kane on the ice at Monday’s practice courtesy of the Chicago Sun-Times: