Chicago Blackhawks veterans answer the call to step up
Talk about putting your $13.8 million where your mouth is.
One day after telling reporters it's time for Blackhawks' veterans to start pulling their weight, Patrick Kane came out and scored 56 seconds into a 7-4 victory over Philadelphia at the United Center on Tuesday.
Kane, who added 3 assists, and linemates Artem Anisimov (2G, 2A) and Artemi Panarin (2G, A) combined for a whopping 11 points in the game.
Despite the gaudy numbers - and in a game with Marian Hossa recording his 500th career goal - there wasn't a lot of celebrating in the Hawks' locker room afterward.
That's because the Hawks failed to protect the 4-0 lead they built after 25:04. The Flyers stunned the home crowd with 4 goals to tie things up with 16:21 left in the game.
"Not the way you want to come out with a lead (in the third period)," Kane said, "but if you give up that lead it was a great response to come back and score a few goals to close it out."
Half of Philadelphia's goals came on the power play as the Hawks' PK continues to struggle, allowing 9 goals in four games.
Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville looked tense and irritated at the postgame podium and was asked if he was happy or upset with such a victory.
"We'll take the win," he said, breaking into a grin.
Monday after practice, Kane said he hasn't been shocked with how well the six rookies have played so far. Then, unsolicited, he talked about how the team's leaders hadn't been playing up to their usual high standards.
"It's more on us veteran guys to kind of pick up the slack and make sure we're playing better," Kane said. "Sometimes you come in, you have a new environment (and) a little bit of a different group. Things just feel a little bit different.
"It's just about us kind of taking control and not waiting for the next guy to do it. … A little bit too much waiting around and waiting for the next guy."
That didn't happen Tuesday and could be a sign of good things to come.
Said Quenneville of Kane, Anisimov and Panarin: "Those guys can do so many good things with each other as far as anticipate, protect the puck, make plays, strip pucks, and they can turn it into something special. Tonight they cashed in and (it's a) big difference to our team game when the production's there from them."