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Hawks’ Kane being stymied in shootouts

Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane might be in the midst of a MVP-type season with 53 points at the halfway pole, but there is one problem area.

Kane is 0-for-9 in shootouts after missing again in Saturday’s 6-5 loss at St. Louis.

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville has tried moving Kane around in the rotation in an attempt to get him untracked, but nothing has worked.

Kane could have given the Hawks the win against the Blues after Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp beat goalie Brian Elliott and Antti Raanta made a save, but he failed to even get the puck on net.

Shootouts have always been one of the strengths of Kane’s game.

“Right now, it seems like they have our number,” Kane said of the Blues.

Central casting:The Hawks are 9-6-2 in games against Central Division opponents following Saturday#146;s shootout loss at St. Louis.#147;Well, we#146;ve had some tough losses,#148; Joel Quenneville said. #147;Each and every game is different, but we are in the toughest division in the toughest conference, so I think that might speak a little bit about the challenges we have going forward. But that#146;s where we#146;re at and let#146;s make sure we prioritize the importance of those points.#148;The Hawks were tied with Anaheim for the most points in the NHL with 61 prior to Sunday#146;s games.#147;It#146;s nice being at the top of the league in the standings, but you know these division games are teams you face a lot,#148; Patrick Kane said. #147;So, it#146;d be nice to get a little better record than that and improve.#148;

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