NEWSLETTER
After a dominant performance in New Jersey by the Rangers in Game One of their series against the Devils, there was some expectation that there would be more push back from the younger team. That was not the case on Thursday night. And former Blackhawks star Patrick Kane was in the middle of the action for the Blue Shirts.
The Devils took a 1-0 lead to the room at the end of the first period, but the Rangers answered with three unanswered goals in the second period. Kane had assists on two power play goals by Chris Kreider in the period.
At 6:34 into the third period, Kane created a turnover and had Kreider streaking to the net without a defender between either of them and the net. This time, Kane decided to finish the job himself, going to his gorgeous backhand for the finish.
The goal is the first postseason marker for Kane since August 8, 2020 — in the bubble against Edmonton. He also had one assist in the Rangers’ 5-1 win in Game One of the series.
That burst of speed after forcing the takeaway and his attack of the poor netminder is a throwback to the Kane that had the crowds at the United Center on our feet so many times over the years.
Kane scored 52 goals with 80 assists for 132 points in 136 career playoff games for the Blackhawks, a number that ranks third in franchise history behind Stan Mikita and Denis Savard. The Blackhawks traded Kane to the Rangers on Feb. 28.
