Blackhawks at Maple Leafs
Patrick Kane has enjoyed a decorated career with three Stanley Cup titles as well as a Hart, Conn Smythe and Calder Trophy to his credit. Kane aims to reach a significant milestone Saturday as he resides two points shy of 1,000 for his career entering the Chicago Blackhawks' road game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
"He's obviously one of the best in the world," Chicago goaltender Robin Lehner said of Kane. "He has so many tools, so many weapons to use, and he's very smart out there. So there's no surprise he's getting these accomplishments, and it's fun to watch." Kane, who is riding an eight-game point streak (four goals, nine assists), collected two goals and an assist in the Blackhawks' 5-4 win over Toronto on Nov. 10, with Lehner recording a staggering 53 saves in the victory. Chicago has elevated from the Central Division basement by winning nine of 13 heading into the meeting with the Maple Leafs, who have dropped four of five (1-2-2). William Nylander, who tallied twice in the first encounter with Chicago, scored a power-play goal in Thursday's 2-1 shootout loss to Calgary to boost his point total to seven (four goals, three assists) in seven games this month.
TIME: 7 p.m. ET. TV: NHL Network, CBC, Sportsnet 1, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet West, Sportsnet Pacific, NBCS Chicago
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (22-20-6): Brandon Saad returned to practice on Friday and is trending toward a return from a 12-game absence due to a right ankle injury. "It's frustrating to be injured, but it is what it is and just staying positive mentally, keeping that same level of confidence when you get back regardless of how much time you missed," the 27-year-old Saad said. Dylan Strome doesn't appear to be as close to a return from an ankle injury that has sidelined him since Jan. 7, with coach Jeremy Colliton telling reporters that he is "very questionable to come back before the (All-Star) break."
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (25-16-7): Mitch Marner is looking forward to his injury-riddled team having some time off after Saturday's contest, although he won't have as much of a respite since he will be participating in the NHL All-Star Game festivities. "I think it's nice to just have your body rest and get some time off," the 22-year-old Marner said. "I think it's really great for us right now, with all the injuries we have, for guys to just get some rest, get the treatment if they need it and hopefully we get a couple guys back after this break." Auston Matthews, who will join Marner and goaltender Frederik Andersen in St. Louis, collected four assists in the first meeting with the Blackhawks.
OVERTIME
1. Toronto captain John Tavares set up Nylander's goal on Thursday to extend his point streak to three games (two goals, three assists).
2. Chicago RW Alex DeBrincat had three assists in the first encounter with the Maple Leafs.
3. Toronto sports an 11-6-2 record against Western Conference representatives this season while Chicago is 6-1-0 versus Atlantic Division foes.