CHICAGO — Several Avalanche players weren’t necessarily rooting for Patrick Kane to extend his 26-game points streak Tuesday, but they weren’t opposed to that happening as long as they beat the Blackhawks at the United Center.
“Love to win tonight and end his streak,” Avs defenseman Erik Johnson said after the morning skate. “But at the same time, if we get a win and his streak keeps going, I don’t know. … I wish him the best.”
Kane and Johnson are close friends, having played together with the U.S. National Development Program from 2004 to 2006 and the 2010 U.S. Olympic team.
Avs forward Matt Duchene, a Canadian who played against Kane at the 2014 Olympics, has some things in common with the Blackhawks superstar: Both are relatively small left-shooting playmakers.
“You look at a guy like that, he’s one of the most fun guys to watch in the league. So entertaining. So talented. And doing it at the size he’s at is even cooler,” Duchene said. “From afar, he’s honestly one of my favorite players to watch. It’s pretty cool to see.”
Kane entered Tuesday with an NHL-leading 46 points, collecting a point in every game since Oct. 17. And NHL scoring is down.
“To do that in today’s game is pretty special,” Duchene said.
Kane, 27, did not speak to reporters after the Blackhawks’ skate.
Footnotes. The Avalanche went with the same goaltender, Sem yon Varlamov, and forwards that led to victories at Nashville and St. Louis to begin the three-game trip. The only lineup change was defenseman Zach Redmond replacing Brandon Gormley on the third pairing, partnered with Nate Guenin. Gormley was a healthy scratch along with center Chris Wagner.
