Everyone now knows Patrick Kane is more than capable at playing center. So with Marcus Kruger still sidelined and Brandon Pirri reassigned to Rockford, the Blackhawks will turn to Kane again for that No. 2 center spot.
Kane was centering a line with Patrick Sharp and Viktor Stalberg on Thursday as the Blackhawks prepared for Friday nights game against the Detroit Red Wings.
Pirri had filled that role the past three games. The young center earned rave reviews from coach Joel Quenneville against Montreal but wasnt as strong in the last two games.
So its another turn with Kane, who was centering the second line by the end of Wednesday nights game against the Los Angeles Kings.
I guess the last few times I went to center we had some balance. We had some pressure, some chances, Kane said. I guess they want to start it out that way and well see how it goes.
Kane has been struggling in the goal department lately, but hes pairing with two who havent. Stalberg had a four-game point streak before Wednesdays shutout, and Sharp had a nine-game point streak recently.
Its always good to play with some good combinations. Sharpies been playing great and so has Stalberg. So its good to play with two pretty confident guys right now.
NHL
Kruger will probably be back at that No. 2 spot when he returns. But when that is, is anyones guess. Kruger is sidelined once again with a concussion after taking a few big hits on Monday against Columbus. Quenneville said Kruger is feeling better, but he has yet to skate and hes out tomorrow against Detroit.
And Quenneville knows what he gets with Kane at center.
He seems to have the puck a little bit more and it seems we have more threats on both lines with him in the middle, Quenneville said. Thats part of it.