Patrick Kane’s consistent offensive production is starting to reach an absurd level. With an assist against the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday, Kane’s streak of games where he’s recorded at least one point reached 26. Kane now owns the longest scoring streak dating back to 1992 when Mats Sundin went on a 30-game run with the Quebec Nordiques.
This Tweet from the NHL’s PR Twitter account should put things in perspective:
Per @EliasSports: More on Patrick Kane (@88PKane) of the @NHLBlackhawks and his 26-game point streak… pic.twitter.com/XgZjeZOR8n
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 14, 2015
Kane already owns the Blackhawks record for most consecutive games with a point, surpassing Bobby Hull’s 21-game total earlier this month. He also has already set the record for the longest streak by an American-born hockey player.
What’s next for Kane?
The big number which still looms off in the distance is 51. Wayne Gretzky holds the record (shocking, we know) for tallying at least a point in 51 straight games back in 1983-84. Now at 26, Kane is officially halfway to Gretzky’s seemingly unbeatable total.
For what it’s worth, Gretzky is in Kane’s corner and is rooting for his record to fall.
Via SI.com:
“It would be hard to compare. It probably is harder for him to do what he has done but I know in my mind and my heart that to get to 51 games is pretty darn hard. Records are made to be broken. I’m going to watch him and if he breaks the record I’ll be the first guy to shake his hand.”
In an era in which scoring continues to drop in the NHL, Kane’s run is pretty remarkable. It seems pretty unlikely that he’ll reach Gretzky’s mark of 51, but then again it’s shocking it has gone on this long.
Unfortunately, any record Kane sets this season will be forever tainted by the off-ice accusation which was the talk of the NHL this summer. The case was ultimately dropped, but it has permanently affected Kane’s image. At the very least, the best way for Kane to put his off-ice issues out of mind is to be the best he can be out on the ice and he’s certainly putting on quite the show this season.
