Line is second in name only
Anisimov, Kane, Panarin have been Hawks’ most effective trio at outset
The line of center Artem Anisimov and wingers Artemi Panarin and Patrick Kane doesn’t have a nickname yet. What it does have is universal acclaim.
Three games into the season, that line has been the Blackhawks’ most effective. Kane leads the Hawks with six points, Panarin is second with four and Anisimov has used his big body and skill to mesh with his two smaller linemates.
They were especially strong Saturday. The trio was on the ice for the Hawks’ three evenstrength goals, the last coming from Kane — thanks in part to an Anisimov screen— after a lengthy and impressive cycle in the Islanders’ zone.
“The one line that’s been pretty amazing to watch,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “[ Saturday], we’ll call it Arty’s line. Very, very effective.”
That’s despite having little time together before the season. Panarin missed most of training camp with an upper- body injury and only played in the preseason finale. It hasn’t mattered. “They’ve been fun to watch. Special plays and special players,” Quenneville said. “Puck possession is what we try to instill or reinforce, and these guys know how to protect it, know instinctually [ and] anticipate where one another can be or will be or are.”
Their teammates have noticed, as well. And benefitted.
“They’ve been playing so well together,” said Trevor van Riemsdyk, who was assisted by Kane and Panarin on his first- period goal Saturday. “It seems like every time they’re on the ice, they’ve got it in the offensive zone just making stuff happen. When that’s going on, as a D- man, you’re just trying to make room for them and let them operate and do their thing.”
For now, Quenneville is doing that, too.
Though he still is looking for somebody to fill the “lottery” spot with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa — Quenneville said he’d settle on someone soon — his second line could have some staying power.
And that’s with Kane and Panarin still getting used to each other.
“I think the upside’s still … I don’t think it’s on tap right now,” Quenneville said. “But certainly been fun to watch.”