Success from Blackhawks' stars in opener a positive sign

When Patrick Kane saw defenseman Brent Seabrook cutting through the slot late in the third period, the Blackhawks star winger focused merely on that moment - the play that was coming his way.

Regardless of how slow the game can be for Kane, he didn't think about how the Hawks missed the playoffs last season. And he didn't concern himself with doing more to help Seabrook, whose struggles last season resulted in ridicule.

For Kane, those seconds behind the Senators net Thursday at the Canadian Tire Centre turned into opportunity in a one-goal game to set up a longtime teammate who has proved to be clutch in such moments.

"(Seabrook) looks really good," said Kane, whose pass set up Seabrook for the equalizer in the Hawks' 4-3 victory in overtime. "He looked good in the preseason. It seems like he's skating well. And he's absolutely hammering the puck.

"If you can get him in that position, we've seen it before, where he's coming down the slot, he's not going to miss too many of those. It was a great celebration, too. It was good to see him excited."

• This report was produced in partnership with the Chicago Sun-Times. For the full story, check chicago.suntimes.com.