Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane celebrates his goal against the Detroit Red Wings in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Detroit, Friday, Nov. 14, 2014. (Paul Sancya, The Associated Press)
Spotlight on… Patrick Kane, right wing, Blackhawks
When: The Avalanche plays the Blackhawks for the first time this season Wednesday at the Pepsi Center, the second of back-to-back games for the Avs.
What’s up: Patrick Kane is off to another fine start at age 26. He scored a dazzling goal Thursday to help the Blackhawks beat the Calgary Flames and has maintained close to a point-per-game average.
Background: A native of Buffalo, N.Y., Kane was the No. 1 pick in the 2007 NHL draft and has helped Chicago win two Stanley Cups. He scored the overtime goal that gave Chicago the Cup in 2009. He is a colorful player and personality, and has cleaned up his reputation since some off-ice incidents early in his career.
Dater’s take: Kane has been a top NHL player for a while, though it’s surprising that he has scored 30 goals in a season only once in his career. He can be streaky but always seems to bring it in the biggest games. Kane and Jonathan Toews signed long-term contract extensions last season and figure to torture NHL goalies for a long time. Kane’s stick-handling ability might be the best in the league.
