As drought continues, Kane's confidence slipping

With just 2 goals in his last 28 games, this is uncharted territory for Blackhawks rookie Patrick Kane.

Kane is used to scoring goals -- a bunch of goals. In his previous three seasons of organized hockey prior to being drafted first overall by the Hawks in June, Kane scored 151 goals in 186 games.

This is a kid who knows how to put the puck in the net with confidence, but it just hasn't been happening, and the 19-year-old admits it is starting to affect the way he thinks on the ice.

"It all starts with confidence and not worrying about that stuff," Kane said Tuesday. "Now when I shoot the puck I'm praying it's going to go in. I think I have to go back to shooting to score and not shooting hoping to score."

To his credit, Kane hasn't let his goal drought take away from his all-around game. He still leads the Hawks and all NHL rookies in scoring with 40 points on the strength of his 31 assists, and in Sunday's 3-2 win at Nashville, coach Denis Savard praised Kane's work on the forecheck.

"I know I have to start scoring more goals," said Kane, whose 9 put him fourth on the Hawks behind Patrick Sharp (22), Robert Lang (16) and Jonathan Toews (15). "The assists, those are goals, too, and it's nice to be part of the play. As long as they're going in, that's all that matters, but I know I have to start scoring."

Savard hasn't spoken to Kane about scoring more goals.

"I don't bring that up to him; he's got enough going on in his mind," Savard said. "He had three good scoring chances in Nashville and he shot it. He's getting opportunities. If he wasn't, then I'd be worried."

Kane appreciates Savard giving him his space to sort out his game, but he knows what he can do and what the team needs him to do.

"It helps to hear him say that, but at the same time you don't want to think, 'OK, he's happy with me not scoring goals,' " Kane said. "I know I have to start getting on the board here, potting a few and get back to the game I'm used to playing.

"Obviously it's a little different here (in the NHL). I've always viewed myself as a goal scorer, and it's tough when you're not scoring goals. Maybe right now it's better off I keep making plays but obviously still try to score."

Kane played mostly with Toews until his fellow rookie-of-the-year candidate injured his knee. Savard has had Kane skating on a line with Martin Havlat and Lang the last few games and loves what he sees in terms of the chemistry forming.

"We're going to keep them together," Savard said. "With all the things that have been happening with injuries, it's been tough to find chemistry, but I want them to stay together."

Kane joked that his job on that line is to watch the two veterans.

"I pretty much watch those guys and try to get them the puck, and they try to get the puck to me," Kane said. "They're great players at making plays, and I just try to get open."

As expected Tuesday, Kane was selected to play in the NHL YoungStars Game during all-star weekend Jan. 26-27 in Atlanta. He will be one of the biggest attractions.

"He deserves it," Savard said. "I know it's not the All-Star Game, but he's going to go to a lot of All-Star Games."

Tonight's faceoff

Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues at the United Center, 7:30 p.m.

TV: None

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

The skinny: The Blues have lost two games in a row but still have gained points in seven of their last eight by going 4-1-3. The season series is tied at 2-2, with the Blues winning the last meeting 3-1 on Dec. 1 in St. Louis. Patrick Lalime, who starts in goal for the Hawks, is 1-1 against the Blues. Forwards Martin Rucinsky and Mike Johnson are questionable with shoulder injuries.

Player to watch: Martin Havlat. The Hawks veteran is coming off one of his strongest games of the season at Nashville.

Next: Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center, 8 p.m. Friday

-- Tim Sassone