Kane's points streak hits 25 in Hawks win over Jets
One night after playing what many would have to say was their worst game of the season, the Blackhawks bounced back and dominated the Winnipeg Jets in a 2-0 victory at the United Center on Friday night.
Jonathan Toews scored 4:34 into the game and Patrick Kane extended his point streak to 25 games with a second-period goal as the Hawks improved to 16-10-4.
Kane's streak is the longest in the NHL since Sidney Crosby's 25-gamer five years ago and is just three shy of 28, a number attained only 10 times in league history. Kane is certainly taking note of the names he's chasing on that list - from Wayne Gretzky to Mario Lemieux to Steve Yzerman.
"It's one of those things when you realize what elite company you're in with these great players that have had these great streaks, it definitely humbles you," said Kane, who has 39 points during this amazing run. "I obviously feel honored and very fortunate to be involved with names like those."
Coach Joel Quenneville's squad was embarrassed Thursday night at Nashville in a 5-1 loss and definitely needed a bounce-back effort like this. The Hawks killed off all 5 Winnipeg power plays (allowing just 1 shot on goal) and cashed in on 2 of 5 power plays of their own.
"Our penalty kill did a great job," Quenneville said. "They were disruptive in the neutral zone, they were excellent in their defensive zone structure, clears, everything.
"Power play was timely as well. So kudos to those units."
Said Winnipeg's Blake Wheeler: "Special teams ain't the whole game. But if you want to look at it that way, it's pretty easy to see why we lost."
Although he wasn't tested much in the first two periods, Corey Crawford was solid in net, making 25 saves. He's turned away 91 of 93 shots in his last three games for a .978 save percentage.
"(In the) third period he had to make some big stops and kept them off the board," Quenneville said. "Good for him - 3 solid wins."
The Hawks, who just began a four-game homestand, went 3-2 in their five games against Central Division foes over the past 11 days (they also lost in OT to Ottawa in that timespan).
"It's huge, especially when we know how close those teams are to us points-wise," Toews said.
Toews scored on the power play 4:34 into the game. Andrew Shaw and Marian Hossa did a great job of creating havoc in front of rookie goalie Connor Hellebuyck after a David Rundblad shot bounced off Hellebuyck. Toews pushed it in for his ninth goal of the season.
He joked afterward that his point streak is now at 1 and he just needs 24 more to equal Kane's amazing feat.
"He's just automatic - he gets his chances and he buries it," Toews said. "He makes no mistake. ... He's not taking any nights off. He's continuing to play hard and he's getting rewarded for it. It's great to see."
Kane, who has 19 goals and a league-leading 45 points on the season, scored off a gorgeous, no-look feed from Teuvo Teravainen 10:36 into the second period.
"Teuvo made a great pass and I just tried to get it off quickly," Kane said. "It was good to see that go in and give us an extended lead."