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Chicago Blackhawks: Cooking with Chef Showtime

By Tony Gianares

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 14: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks reacts after scoring against the Edmonton Oilers in the second period at the United Center on October 14, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 14: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks reacts after scoring against the Edmonton Oilers in the second period at the United Center on October 14, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Patrick Kane has been cooking up the competition amid a 6-game point streak. Kane looks primed to lead the Chicago Blackhawks into playoff contention.

The Chicago Blackhawks have recently started to show signs of life and now have a record of 6-7-4, through the first 17 games of the 2019-20 season. The offense has scored 12 goals in the past 3 games alone. This offensive production has been missed dearly.

Jeremy Colliton had been blending the lines so often that there was zero chemistry on the Blackhawks’ lines. That has all changed lately though, as the Blackhawks’ top-6 now has regulars that are matching the production of the always steady bottom-6. The 1st line is made up of Brandon Saad–Jonathan Toews–Alexander Nylander. This has been one of the most balanced and consistent lines since being formed.

Although the 1st line has played well, the Chicago Blackhawks’ recent success can be largely attributed to the play of the 2nd line. The 2nd line includes Alex DeBrincat–Dylan Strome-Patrick Kane. Kane has made his presence known and that is putting it mildly, as he is on a 6-game point streak. During this streak, he has tallied 11 points (5G, 6A) with a 2 ± rating. The way Patrick Kane has cooked the competition has led me to create yet another nickname for him, Chef Showtime.

Comparing the 2018-19 and 2019-20 Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago Blackhawks have been lacking the offensive firepower that they had last season. In 2018-19, the Blackhawks ranked 8th in goals for (270) and 30th in goals against (292). After last night’s win against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Blackhawks rank T-25th in goals for (45) and 16th in goals against (51).

It looks like Patrick Kane has, once again, taken on the burden of putting his team on his back and singlehandedly willing them back into the win column. This herculean effort could not have come at a better time, as the team is currently 6th in the Central Division. Let’s hope Kane has enough gas in the tank to keep this production up throughout the entire 2019-20 season. He faded down the stretch last season and rightfully so, as he set many career highs including ATOI (22:29).

Patrick Kane currently sits at 20 points (8G, 12A) with a -4 ± rating through the first 17 games of the season. This includes a 3-point performance against the Maple Leafs on Sunday.

Kane started strong in the 1st period with 2 goals. First, a pass that was intended for Dylan Strome took on a mind of its own and found the back of the net.

https://twitter.com/Certified_TonyG/status/1193685942491648000

For his next act, Patrick Kane scooped up his own rebound and made sure he didn’t miss the second time. This backhander was vintage Showtime. He makes it look so easy sometimes.

https://twitter.com/Certified_TonyG/status/1193689590709792768

For his third and final act of the game, Patrick Kane lulled the defense to sleep with some nice puckhandling in the offensive zone during a 4-on-3 power play. This would initiate a beautiful tic-tac-toe scoring play.  Elite players do elite things and Chef Showtime filleted the Leafs for Sunday dinner.

For comparison’s sake, Kane had 22 points (12G, 10A) through the first 17 games last season. Production and results are about the same, even though it might not feel like it. One year ago, the Blackhawks were 6-8-3 and they are currently 6-7-4.

A slow start last season really hurt the Blackhawks, and ultimately, kept them out of the playoffs for the 2nd consecutive season. Let’s see if Jeremy Colliton and this year’s Chicago Blackhawks’ squad can avoid those ship-sinking 8 game losing streaks this time around. I know Patrick Kane will do everything in his power to prevent this team from failing. Everyone else will need to follow suit, including the coaching staff.

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