Toews, Kane playing like old pros

The learning process for Blackhawks rookies Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane is going very well, to say the least.

With each passing game the two teenagers are giving their teammates, Hawks fans and the rest of the NHL glimpses of potential greatness.

In the most critical stages of Saturday's 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars at the United Center, Toews and Kane were on the ice figuring prominently in the outcome.

It was Toews' slap shot from the deep slot that hit Robert Lang and went into the net for a power-play goal with two seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game at 1-1.

Then for the start of overtime with the Hawks having a 4-on-3 power play, coach Denis Savard had Toews and Kane on the ice with Lang and Jason Williams.

"It means they're skilled and really talented," said Williams, who scored the game-winner 43 seconds into overtime with an assist from Kane and help from a screening Toews in front of Stars goalie Tobias Stephan.

"Those two have played well so far this year and are a big part of this team," Williams said. "They weren't high draft picks for no reason. They're great players, very talented and gifted with the puck. To have those guys out there in those key situations, you're going to have good scoring chances."

Savard has said there is no situation in which he won't use Toews and Kane.

"That kid Kane, I don't know how many minutes I played him (against Dallas), but he got better in his 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st minutes, whatever he played," Savard said. "He just kept rising it up."

Kane played more than 21 minutes and Toews was 19-plus.

"They're special kids, I've always told you this," Savard said. "They're going to go through in the year sometime when they're not going to be on top of their game, but at the same time you know that at any time in the game that they could be game-breakers.

"They come to play hard, they're having fun, and they compete. That's what is great about them. They're smart and good players, but they compete. And at the end of the day they get the result that they want. And our veterans are going to feed off that, too, and bring their game to another level."

The veteran Hawks have marveled at Toews and Kane since the start of training camp when they dominated scrimmages.

"It just great to have young kids that have poise and are able to make plays right off the hop when they come to the league," Lang said. "Those guys are playing really well. Right now they're just riding kind of a good feeling and a couple wins. Everything is coming nice and easy for them, and I'm benefiting."

Toews and Kane are doing the small things as well. It was Kane who drew the penalty on Mike Modano late in regulation that set up the key power plays.

"It's still early on for me," Toews said. "I'm just trying to chip in and learn the ropes of what it's like to be in this locker room. I'm trying to learn as much as I can and keep getting better."