Blackhawks' Patrick Kane will be back for playoffs after left knee injury

CHICAGO - Blackhawks star forward Patrick Kane said he will return to the NHL playoffs next week at 100 per cent despite a brace on his injured left knee.

Kane, who was leading Chicago in scoring when he was hurt in a game against St. Louis on March 19, resumed skating on his own five days ago. On Wednesday, he skated with his teammates for the first time in the hours before a game against Montreal.

The team had put Kane on injured reserve and said he would miss the final 12 games of the of the regular season. Kane says he will be rested for the post-season and said: "Some people thought it might be beneficial to take a little time off."