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Kane Finds the Spotlight in Chicago Like You Knew He Would

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2 months ago

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Patrick Kane, Red Wings

During Chris Chelios’ speech at his Chicago Blackhawks jersey retirement ceremony, he took time to pay homage to Patrick Kane’s first game back in Chicago. Chelios said Kane will have his number retired by the Blackhawks and be the greatest American player of all-time.

NHL legend Wayne Gretzky, in attendance to support his friend Chelios, was among the first to rise to give Kane a standing ovation.

Three-plus hours later, Kane reminded everyone why he has so much respect among hockey greats when he scored a breakaway goal at 1:42 of overtime to give the Red Wings a 3-2 win against Chicago on a night when the Detroit squad played poorly. This was Detroit’s NHL-leading 11th third-period comeback win.

It was Kane’s first game in Chicago since the Blackhawks traded him last season. This was also Detroit’s fifth consecutive win.

Where did this night rank among Kane’s many meaningful nights of his career?

“Right now it’s up there,” Kane said. “It feels really good right now. Really, really happy with the group. This group has been unbelievable to me, welcomed me in and shared these moments. The guys giving up the assistant captain for me today, pretty special, too. Just things like that. There’s a lot of camaraderie in this group. It feels good to obviously score that goal. Even bigger to get a win against these guys.”

“It’s the story of the last week or two…we found a way to win,” said Detroit goalie James Reimer told Bally Sports.

Kane Always Able

It’s been Kane’s story throughout his career. He delivers when it’s all on the line. That’s why he has won three Stanley Cup championships, a Conn Smythe Trophy and a Hart Trophy. His resume also includes a Cup-clinching overtime goal.

On a night when the Blackhawks badly outplayed the Red Wings, Kane assisted on Alex DeBrincat’s tying goal with 4:16 left in the third period. It was DeBrincat who found Kane all alone for a pass in the OT.

Kane looked like the calmest person in the arena as he surveyed the situation on the breakaway. H  deked with his eyes, and then ripped a shot high over Chicago goalie Petr Mrazek.

Everyone in the building probably expected him to convert the chance because he is among the NHL all-time leaders in seizing the moment.

“He’s coming in on a breakaway with a chance to win the game. And sure enough, he’s automatic,” said Reimer, who made 33 saves to join Kane on Detroit’s list of major contributors. Daniel Spring, a fourth liner, scored his 16th goal.

“There’s something about this group,” Kane said.

There’s been something about Kane since he signed with Detroit. His surgically repaired hip has given him no trouble. Kane has 28 points in 27 games and his two-point game extends his ongoing points streak to eight games. He has five goals and seven assists for 12 points in that span. This is his second OT goal during the streak; three days ago, he beat the Colorado Avalanche 2-1 with an OT goal from the slot.

Red Wings Were Sluggish

This was Detroit’s second game in two nights, and the Red Wings were a team that was out of sync for much of the game. Giveaways. Poor passing. Sluggishness. The Detroit players didn’t look like the team that had humbled the St. Louis Blues 6-1 Saturday afternoon.

Reimer had to stop Connor Bedard on a third-period breakaway just to pave the way for the big goals by DeBrincat and Kane. DeBrincat’s goal was banked off the backside of Mrazek from behind the goal line. Right before Kane’s OT goal, Reimer made a strong stop on Chicago defenseman Seth Jones.

With Alex Lyon playing well, the Red Wings only need Reimer to give them a chance with his occasional starts. He has won his last three starts, and only given up four goals in those three outings.

The win over Chicago is important because it allowed the Red Wings to stay in the first wild card position and improved their lead to eight points over New Jersey.

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