Columbus – There was a little extra in the fist bump, and the goal scoring celebration had a little more energy than usual.
Patrick Kane likely needed it. A bit of relief, after a mystifying drought.
Kane finally broke a nine-game goal-less streak with a third-period tally in Thursday’s 6-5 shootout loss in Columbus. The goal tied the game 4-4, before long-time linemate Alex DeBrincat put the Wings ahead shortly after.
But the Blue Jackets tied the game in the final minute of regulation, and then earned the second point in the shootout.
So the Wings opened their six-game road trip with a loss, although with the knowledge that Kane might be back on track.
“It’s been a little bit,” said Kane of the relief in scoring. “I feel like I’ve been getting some good looks. It’s probably just the way to do it, right? You attack, shoot through their defensemen and find a way to get a shot on net. Good to see it go in, for sure.”
Kane’s goal and assist against Columbus crept him closer to more career milestones, while in the process eclipsing another.
Kane’s two-point night was his 359th multi-point night, passing Westland’s Mike Modano (358) for most by a U.S.-born player in NHL history.
The goal Thursday was No. 496 for Kane in his illustrious career, only four shy now of the magical 500 number. Kane currently ranks fifth among U.S. leaders behind Modano (561), Keith Tkachuk (538), Jeremy Roenick (513) and Joe Mullen (502).
With 1,361 points, Kane is only 13 shy of Modano (1,374) for the all-time points lead. (Brett Hull played internationally for the United States and is listed as an American but was born in Canada. Hull had 1,391 points – 741 goals, 650 assists.)
In addition to the four goals needed to reach 500, Kane needs 35 assists to reach 900 (he has 14 this season) and 39 points (he has 18) to reach 1,400. Only 48 players have reached 500 goals, 20 players have reached 900 assists, and 22 have hit 1,400 points.
“It’s awesome, he definitely deserves it,” said DeBrincat of Kane’s milestones. “He creates so much stuff out there for teammates. When he gets the puck, you try to get open and watch him do his magic. It’s been fun being with him for this long and hopefully he passes (milestones) pretty soon.”
Coach Todd McLellan was asked often recently about Kane’s goal-scoring slump and McLellan’s level of concern. Let’s just say McLellan wasn’t too disturbed.
“He’s got (496) of them, doesn’t he?” said McLellan. “So I’m not too worried about Patrick Kane not scoring. He gets some chances. He makes some really good plays. When you score that many, you don’t forget how to score. It’ll come, and we’ve seen it before, when it comes, it usually comes in bunches.
“If I was a betting man, I certainly would have bet on him finishing some of those (in recent games). But for some reason they haven’t gone in. Players can go through that, even Patrick Kane can go through that at times.”
While 500 goals is a prolific number, it’s the point milestone, being No. 1 on the American-born list, that would mean a little bit extra.
“That would be, (for) a young kid from Buffalo who tried to play hockey and enjoyed it, and maybe get a college scholarship or something like that, you never think (about it),” Kane said. “I remember in my age group, and just comparing (myself) to some of the kids, and I just felt they were so much better than me.
“But as time goes on, you get opportunities, or playing in different situations, stepping into good opportunities, and you get chances to do some pretty special things. I’m pretty fortunate with that.
“To be up there on that list would be pretty cool, given the amount of players who’ve played the game from the U.S.”
Kane has felt confident throughout this current slump because he’s had a good number of scoring chances. Eventually, like McLellan suggested, the puck was going to go in the net.
“Since I’ve been back from injury I’ve been getting one or two good looks every game,” Kane said. “I’ve been just a little off that way. It was nice to see it go in (Thursday). I’m just trying to produce and create scoring chances and make plays. Be good on the power play and in be good in my spot defensively.
“Just try to play my game.”
Red Wings at Kraken
▶ Faceoff: 10 p.m. Saturday, Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle
▶ TV/radio: FDSN/97.1
▶ Notable: The Wings (14-11-3) make their only visit to Seattle (11-8-6) this season. … The Kraken might be in a lousy mood after losing 9-4 Thursday in Edmonton, their fourth consecutive loss. … C Matty Beniers (12 assists, 15 points) leads a balanced offensive attack.
@tkulfan
