Kane trying not to stress as he struggles
Maybe returning to Philadelphia on Thursday, the scene of his greatest moment with the Blackhawks, will be exactly what Patrick Kane needs to spark his struggling offensive game.
The name of the building has changed from the Wachovia Center to the Wells Fargo Center, but it's still the place Kane scored the biggest goal of his life in overtime in Game 6 of the 2010 Finals to give the Hawks their first Stanley Cup in 49 years.
“I don't think there's one that compares,” Kane said of that memorable goal.
But that was then and this is now, and Kane admits he is stressing about scoring just 2 goals in the last 20 games. He has been stuck on 9 since last scoring on Dec. 18 against Calgary.
“Looking at certain numbers and different things it's tough not to stress about it,” Kane said.
“I'm just going to go out Thursday and play a regular hockey game and have fun like I was a little kid and play like I know how to.”
Kane does have 27 assists, which ranked sixth in the NHL on Tuesday, and is plus-9 playing mostly center this season.
“It's not all about scoring and he knows that,” Jonathan Toews said. “He's playing center now and can do some other things that will benefit our team, whether he's scoring or not.
“He's just got to work through it. When pucks aren't going in you've just got to work harder and eventually you get a funny bounce and a lot of confidence will come rushing back. He'll find a way to get it back.”
The Hawks are built so no one player has to carry the offense, which is part of the reason why coach Joel Quenneville isn't concerned about Kane's lack of goals.
“I think top guys when they're not scoring, their confidence sometimes gets dragged down when they're not scoring at the rate they'd like to or we'd like them to,” Quenneville said. “But you have to make sure you find ways where you're contributing to the team game.
“The harder you work, the quicker you're going to get out of it.”
With the power play in a 1-for-22 funk, 0-for-10 in the last two games, Kane was bumped off the first unit at practice Tuesday, replaced by Andrew Brunette.
Kane will be on the second power play unit for the game at Philadelphia with Dave Bolland, rookie Jimmy Hayes, Nick Leddy and Brent Seabrook.
Kane saw the demotion as somewhat of a wake-up call.
“Maybe a little bit,” he said. “You try not to think about it too much. Hopefully it's the best thing for the team and you can help out that other unit as much as possible and try to score goals there.”
Brunette joined Toews, Marian Hossa, Patrick Sharp and Duncan Keith on the first unit.
“We have to change something, but I think both units can be effective,” Quenneville said.
“You can understand the struggles and changes right now,” Kane said. “Sharpie, Hoss and Tazer are hot and you need a net-front guy, so you can understand Bruno in front. Hopefully they light it up and we do, too, on our unit.”
tsassone@dailyherald.com