Kane scores in Hawks loss; streak at 24 games
The Chicago Blackhawks had a dreadful first 40 minutes against the Nashville Predators, but leave it up to red-hot Patrick Kane to help brighten things up in the third period. The NHL’s leading scorer did just that, extending his point streak to 24 consecutive games after scoring a goal early in the third period to cut the Blackhawks’ deficit to two goals.
Predators coach Peter Laviolette actually challenged the goal, alleging goalie interference. The play was reviewed, but the call on the ice of a good goal was upheld.
The goal actually came thanks to Blackhawks forward Marcus Kruger making a heads-up play to jab at a puck that Predators goalie Pekka Rinne couldn’t get a handle on. The puck squirted free to Kane on the doorstep and he was able to slide it under Rinne from a tight angle. That made it 3-1 and allowed Kane to keep his streak alive.
The streak is now just one game shy of tying the longest point-scoring streak since 1993, which was set by Sidney Crosby during the 2011-12 season. The NHL record is 51 games set by Wayne Gretzky in 1983-84.
In an interview with Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune that ran Thursday, Gretzky said he actually believes Kane could break the record. Here’s what the Great One had to say:
“He can get there, absolutely,” the Hockey Hall of Famer said. “What does it take to get there? It’s a combination of things. First of all, you have to be good and you have to get a little bit lucky. I was a little bit lucky during the streak, whether it was a (secondary) assist late in the game or an empty-net point. You have to stay healthy and you have to be surrounded by really good teammates. He has all the intangibles he needs.”
That’s interesting to hear from the guy who would know better than anyone else what it takes to get there.
On top of this remarkable run Kane is on, he’s in the midst of a truly incredible season. That goal also was Kane’s 18th of the season, which is good for second in the league behind Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn‘s 19. The Blackhawks star also extended his league-leading point total to 44 points. Kane is now officially halfway to the highest point total of his career, which he set back in 2009-10 over 82 games. He’s played in just 29 so far this season.
Unfortunately for Kane and the Blackhawks, that third-period goal was the only one the club would score as they fell 5-1 to their Central foes on the road.
Patrick Kane’s 18th goal extended his point-scoring streak to 24 games. (USATSI)
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