The Chicago Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane has been a key factor in his team’s success this postseason. Since he came back from injury earlier than planned, Kane has notched six goals and five assists, and has scored in four consecutive playoff games, including each of the team’s three wins over the Minnesota Wild.
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He has the same amount of goals in the series as the Wild have been able to score against his team. That says more about the Wild’s lack of offense and the Blackhawks’ defense than Kane, but still something worth mentioning.
After Game 3, where Kane was the hero of the night with the game’s lone goal, Blackhawks coach told the Associated Press:
"“He has a hot stick. He’s dangerous,” Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “I think he gives a lot of different looks for the goalies. They don’t know where it’s coming off his stick, and it has some torque on it as well.”"
Kane has always been a dangerous player. I can’t get over how he handles the puck. It never ceases to amaze me how quick his hands are; even more impressive is his control. You never know what you’re going to see from him. He can come in hard and straight or slow and methodical and still find a way to put the puck in the net.
It isn’t just his scoring abilities that are on display. Kane makes unbelievable passes. He knows where his teammates are going to be and sends the puck their way—tape to tape. I mean take a look at this pass from round one against the Nashville Predators:
That’s just an example of his skill.
And this isn’t the only time that Kane has put on a show during the playoffs. He is only 26 years old, but he has more than 100 points in the postseason alone. Not bad, right? So Minnesota fans, don’t feel too bad, your team isn’t the only one that can’t stop Kane.
According to CBS Sports:
"“Kane now has 102 points in 102 career games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He is one of just three American-born players with at least 95 career playoff games to have averaged a point per game or better. Former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Kevin Stevens is tops with 1.03, while New York Rangers great Brian Leetch is second with 1.02. Other names behind Kane on the list: Brett Hull, Mike Modano, Jeremy Roenick and Pat Lafontaine, just to name a few of the more notables.”"
He’s in good company, and the kid also has some hardware. Kane won the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP in 2013 when he recorded 19 points in 23 games, helped Chicago win two Stanley Cups (2010, 2013) and he won a silver medal with Team USA during the 2010 Olympics, as well as the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2008 during his rookie campaign. Again, he’s only 26! I would expect he’ll need a bigger trophy case soon.
But back to this year’s run. What makes Kane’ dominance so astounding is he wasn’t even supposed to be playing yet. The team did not expect to see him on the ice until the third round due to a broken collarbone. Kane wouldn’t have any of that—the playoffs are where he shines—and he came back a few weeks early and hasn’t looked like he missed a beat.
He’s one of those big-time players that actually shows up during big moments. When we see elite players disappear like Rick Nash, Steven Stamkos, Marty St. Louis, we wonder why they are getting the paycheck they do. They get criticized for their lack of production; Kane never does.
Da Windy City
He’s not immune to slumps, but they usually don’t last long. He also makes up for games without goals in the ones that really count. Kane has scored two game-winning goals in this series, and has had a flare for the dramatic in seasons past, scoring the Stanley Cup winner in 2010, and overtime winners in clinching scenarios in 2013 against the Los Angeles Kings and against the Wild last season.
Kane isn’t the only reason the Blackhawks are closing in on their third consecutive trip to the Western Conference finals, but he’s a major part of their success.
Just to show you a little bit of what I’ve talking about, you can enjoy some Kane’s finest playoff moments below: