Kane’s MVP effort a reflection of his maturity level
BOSTON — Patrick Kane saved his best for the Stanley Cup final and his reward was the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
Kane led the Chicago Blackhawks in scoring with 19 points on nine goals and 10 assists, helping them earn their second championship in four years.
He had nine points in his final 10 playoff games.
“I think it speaks more for my team than myself, personally,” said Kane.
Kane thrived once coach Joel Quenneville reunited him with linemates Jonathan Toews and Bryan Bickell.
“Playing with great players, it was the best year of my life just playing with these guys,” said Kane.
The chemistry led to almostinstant offence. Kane scored twice in Game 5 and then was the decoy on Toews’ Game 6 goal Monday night that got Chicago on the board.
He was on the ice for the tying goal with 1:16 left.
Not long ago, the Blackhawks had to answer questions about Patrick Kane’s maturity. At the end of last season, Internet photos of Kane partying in Madison, Wisc., led to renewed questions about his makeup. He also was arrested in his hometown of Buffalo, N.Y., in 2009 after an altercation with a cab driver.
He entered this year with something to prove and he was one of the NHL’s top players from start to finish, helping the Blackhawks to the league’s best record.
Kane, a three-time all-star, played for Biel in Switzerland’s top division during the lockout, so he had a head start on much of the league when the players and owners reached a new labour agreement in January. He also had a healthy off-season after undergoing surgery to repair a broken left wrist in July 2011.
He finished the regular season with 23 goals, matching Toews for the team lead, and led the Blackhawks with 32 assists and 55 points. Kane also showed improved ability on defence, helping turn Chicago into one of the stingiest teams in the league.
Kane, who played without his trademark mouth guard after going without one in Switzerland, has long been one of the most popular Blackhawks, both for his fun-loving image and his considerable ability on the ice. He had the winning goal in Game 6 of the 2010 Stanley Cup final against Philadelphia, lifting the franchise to its first championship since 1961.