Hawks' Patrick Kane sharp at center

It's been only three games, but this Patrick Kane to center thing certainly is working.

Led by Kane's goal and 2 assists, the Blackhawks held off the Winnipeg Jets 4-3 at the United Center on Thursday night.

In fact, the entire line of Kane, Marian Hossa and Daniel Carcillo was the best on the ice with Hossa chipping in a goal and assist.

Carcillo, making his Hawks' debut after serving a two-game suspension, added to the line's effectiveness with some big hitting early while also assisting on Kane's goal.

“The biggest thing about that is he comes on the line and likes to bang guys to get pucks back,” said Kane, now with 5 points in three games. “The other team is kind of worried about him a little bit where they're not worried about myself or Hossa. It opens up some space and you could tell on a couple goals tonight.”

Even though the Hawks fell behind 2-0 in the first eight minutes, Carcillo had a memorable first shift when he drilled Mark Stuart with a hard hit then skated away when the Jets defenseman wanted to start something.

“I usually wouldn't walk away from that, but after a minute and 20 on the ice I'm not going to engage in a fight,” Carcillo said. “I was at the end (of a shift) and he was at the beginning.”

Carcillo played almost 16 minutes and led the Hawks with 4 hits.

“I thought that line had several high quality shifts, and production to back it up,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “I thought everyone on that line had outstanding games. I think Danny's first shift in a Blackhawks uniform was very noticeable.”

“That's my game, playing the body, getting the fans into it early and getting my team get into it,” Carcillo said.

Playing center is allowing Kane to have the puck more in the open ice and be an even more dangerous offensive threat.

“When he has the puck he is right in the middle and he goes everywhere,” Hossa said. “I think everyone was asking how he was going to do defensively, but I think so far he has answered every question.”

Kane was plus-2 in more than 19 minutes and won 10 of 14 faceoffs.

“He's getting better down low,” Quenneville said. “He'll get better and better because he's a smart player.”

Goalie Ray Emery survived a shaky start by his teammates to win his first game. It was 2-0 for the Jets after eight minutes, but both goals by Jim Slater were deflections.

“Early on, two deflections, we weren't in (shooting) lanes, we got off to a slow start, but he was rock solid in the third and it was a great test to see how he responded to some dangerous opportunities,” Quenneville said.

“Guys get sticks on a couple shots there and it's not the start you want, but the guys came back strong with 4 unanswered goals,” Emery said. “In my mind I'm just thinking, I know this team is going to get their goals as long as I stay solid in net. It feels good to get your first start of the year and I thought the boys did a good job coming back from a tough start.”