Chicago Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane Proves Catalyst For Team’s Success

If there’s one player on the Chicago Blackhawks who can change the dynamics of a season with their individual production on the ice, it’s Patrick Kane. His unwilling attitude to deny defeat and be one of the league’s greatest has established himself as the team’s catalyst for success.

Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane was named the NHL’s No. 1 star of the week Monday for his endeavors on the ice, which included four goals and an assist in three games, as well as two game-winning goals. Now, in a time where the Blackhawks have been crawling in the Central Division while their opponents are sprinting, Kane has given them hope for success heading into the new year.

Kane has been pretty much the only real standout player besides Corey Crawford this year, as he has been a point-per-game player with 34 points in 33 games. He’s playing like his elite self. However, his outstanding performance has not only excelled his own stats, as it’s brought the Blackhawks back to life.

Kane’s success is the Blackhawks’ success

Before Kane started to lash out and gain traction with the league, the Blackhawks were riding a five-game losing streak, looking like a college hockey team that just plays to do beer-bats in the locker room and party with the cool kids. Now they’re over that slump and better looking than they have been at any point in the season.

The ‘Hawks have beaten five opponents in a row, including four straight at home and one on the road against the dominant Winnipeg Jets. Even though the first three teams they played weren’t very good, the Blackhawks at the time were not either. It was a perfect scenario for reevaluation and a new start.

Kane was able to help fend off the Florida Panthers, who gave the Hawks’ quite a scare before Kane was given an amazing pass from Artem Anisimov to win the game. Again, Kane was later able to notch a goal and an assist versus the Jets. The most impressive performance, however, was against the Minnesota Wild.

Versus the Wild, Kane unleashed a great amount of chemistry with his linemates, as he concluded the week with a two-goal performance as well as a game-winning goal to creep the ‘Hawks back into the top wild card spot in the Central Division, just four points behind the Jets for third place.

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Without Kane’s unlimited potential with the puck, the ‘Hawks would never be in this position. He is the best player to dawn the good ol’ Indian Head sweater in decades, and the ‘Hawks are going to need him to continue this stretch if they’re to enter the new year on a good note.

Do you think he’ll keep it up?