Kane shootout star for Blackhawks

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- It's the easiest coaching decision Denis Savard has to make behind the Blackhawks' bench.

When it comes to shootouts, there's no doubt in Savard's mind who's going first.

Rookie Patrick Kane has scored leading off shootouts three times in the last week, all of which have turned into victories for the Hawks.

Kane has done it four times this season, including the home opener against Detroit that also became a win.

"It's a tough act to follow, not just that he scores, but the way he does it," Savard said. "He's pretty poised."

Kane's moves in shootouts are downright jaw-dropping.

In Saturday's 2-1 victory over the Coyotes, he deked goalie Ilya Bryzgalov one way and flipped a backhander into the open net.

"A remarkable move," Savard said.

In Friday's 2-1 win at Colorado, Kane put a series of dekes on Jose Theodore, beating the goalie on his forehand to the glove side.

"It looks like he's using a lacrosse stick," joked general manager Dale Tallon.

The move at Colorado was impressive in that Kane knew Theodore catches with his right hand, rare for a goalie, so he went backhand to forehand with his fake and beat Theodore glove side.

Kane takes the moments right before his shootout attempt to figure out what he wants to do.

"The one time I missed, I didn't have a move in my mind," said Kane, who is 4-for-5 this season in shootouts. "I try to change it up because there's obviously clips where teams watch to see what you're going to do in shootouts.

"It's a good feeling when you score and give your team a lead," Kane said. "I think the one shootout we lost, I didn't score. It's obviously a big part of the game now, and there's points there on the line that we need. These shootouts are big. It's an extra point for us."

Hawks goalie Patrick Lalime, who has started all four games in the Hawks' four-game winning streak, certainly appreciates it when Kane scores going first.

"It's fun when you get the first goal like that," Lalime said. "It gives you a little extra confidence. It's huge when you take it to them right away."

Lalime sees Kane's best move, forehand to backhand, in practice every day.

"Even when you know it's coming, it's hard to stop," Lalime said.

Kane has busted out of his goal drought in a big way during the four-game winning streak. He has 3 goals in regulation, 3 more in shootouts and 3 assists.

Kane's 45 points leads the Hawks and all NHL rookies in scoring.

"Our fans in Chicago really have something to look forward to," Savard said. "I know they've seen him this year, but this kid is going to be with us a long time.

"He's fun to watch and fun to coach. Structurally he's getting better with what we want him to do and it doesn't take away any creativity from his game."

Kane made a beautiful pass to set up Brent Seabrook's power-play goal against the Coyotes that tied the game at 1-1.

"He told us he wouldn't let us down on the power play and he got us a big goal," Savard said.