Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat have had a hell of a week. Kane and DeBrincat are finally starting to tap into the potential that has been lying dormant since the Blackhawks drafted the latter in 2016. Here, DeBrincat talks about their chemistry and how much Patrick Kane has influenced his game.
To play with and learn from guys like Patrick Kane is a dream come true for Alex DeBrincat… and as #Blackhawks fans witnessed last night, the Cat is a good student. pic.twitter.com/6iE9UtnXHu
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 8, 2019
Kane and DeBrincat have started to really feed off of one another, and lately, they’re starting to look like a former Blackhawks’ dynamic duo. Does this ring a bell?
Although not as accomplished and feared yet, the new duo of Kane and DeBrincat has been just as effective recently when they share the ice. Here’s the Kane and Cat combo at work against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday, January 6th.
Alternate angle of Alex Debrincat’s goal #Blackhawks #CHIvsPIT #HockeyTwitter pic.twitter.com/QPy7igvcE3
— ✶ ✶Tony Gianares✶ ✶ (@Certified_TonyG) January 7, 2019
Kane and the Cat were back at it again on Monday, January 7th against the Calgary Flames.
Patrick Kane ➡️ Erik Gustafsson ➡️ Patrick Kane ➡️ Alex DeBrincat 🏒🥅🚨
This is DeBrincat’s 20th goal of the season. Kane and DeBrincat have been RED HOT lately. Making it look easy out there. 🔥 #CHIvsCGY #HockeyTwitter #NHL pic.twitter.com/mU0fAXaIg0
— ✶ ✶Tony Gianares✶ ✶ (@Certified_TonyG) January 8, 2019
How Have Kane and DeBrincat Been Getting It Done?
Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat were seen working on one-timers before the game against Nashville on Wednesday.
Pregame ritual: Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat practicing one-timers. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/HqocB1Oeoo
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) January 10, 2019
I am under the assumption that Kane and the Cat have made this a regular pre-game ritual. It has clearly been paying off in a big way. Kane and DeBrincat’s synergy has been very noticeable in the last 10 games, especially on the power play. They have been racking up power play points in bunches. Here’s a more detailed breakdown on when and where these points came from.
Patrick Kane’s last 10 games:
Alex DeBrincat’s last 10 games:
With Kane and the Cat running the power play, the Blackhawks’ power play efficiency has gotten a nice boost. It’s really refreshing to see pucks going in the net on power plays again.
This visual paints a pretty vivid picture and shows you just how bad the power play has been this season.
Looks like the #Blackhawks are FINALLY buying into what Jeremy Colliton is selling 🤑#CHIvsCGY #HockeyTwitter #NHL pic.twitter.com/3Qgr5gK1NO
— ✶ ✶Tony Gianares✶ ✶ (@Certified_TonyG) January 8, 2019
Hopefully, Kane and DeBrincat can keep this going for the remainder of the season. These two are doing their part in making the special teams special again. Now, it’s up to the rest of the team to buy in and follow suit.
What’s Next?
First thing’s first…
I’m not trying to be negative here, but this Blackhawks team is not playoff bound this year. The lack of roster depth is really holding the team back, and Kane and the Cat cannot will this team to the playoffs on their own. Jonathan Toews cannot carry the top line by himself. Collin Delia can only stand on his head for so long until the shots start hitting the twine.
The defense will be the Blackhawks’ Achilles heel until the prospects start cracking the NHL roster, which could be as soon as next season. Henri Jokiharju was a fixture on Team Finland in the 2019 World Juniors tournament and helped Finland beat Team USA in the gold medal game.
Our boy is BACK! 😬#Blackhawks D Henri Jokiharju returns to the lineup tonight vs. NSH after winning a Gold medal with Team Finland in the #WorldJuniors. #CHIvsNSH #HockeyTwitter pic.twitter.com/jB9Mya6gve
— ✶ ✶Tony Gianares✶ ✶ (@Certified_TonyG) January 9, 2019
I’m glad Jokiharju was loaned to Team Finland. The experience from he gained by playing over 20 minutes a game on a winning team is way more valuable than anything he would have gotten from staying with the Blackhawks. Jokiharju will take his experience from the tournament and build on it.
Besides Jokiharju, many of the Blackhawks’ top prospects including Adam Boqvist, Ian Mitchell, Nicolas Beaudin, Philipp Kurashev, Evan Barratt, MacKenzie Entwistle, and Jakub Galvas also had great showings in the 2019 World Juniors tournament. Here’s a breakdown on each players’ performance throughout the tournament.
The current state of the Blackhawks may not appeal to you right now, but I believe the future is as bright as it ever was. Until the future officially arrives, at least we still have Kane and the Cat to keep us entertained.
For more Blackhawks news and updates, follow the author @Certified_TonyG on Twitter.
