Patrick Kane extends point streak to 24 games

Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane extended his point streak to 24 games with a goal 5:43 into the third period against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday.

The goal was upheld after a Nashville coach's challenge for goalie interference. It was the only one for Chicago in a 5-1 loss.

"It's nice to see that, but I know he's the type of guy that would rather have a win than keep the streak going," Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw said.

Kane reached 23 games with an empty-net goal against Nashville on Tuesday.

He has 15 goals and 23 assists during the streak, which began with an empty-net goal Oct. 17 against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago's sixth game of the season.

Edmonton Oilers forward Wayne Gretzky holds the NHL record with a 51-game streak that started the 1983-84 season. Gretzky had 61 goals and 92 assists during his streak.

"If Patrick can keep this going, good for him. It's great for hockey," Gretzky told "Hockey Central" on Wednesday. "And if he gets to 50, 51, I'll be the first guy to go to the game."

Kane's empty-net, third-period assist Sunday against the Winnipeg Jets extended his streak to 22 games, which broke Bobby Hull's Blackhawks record of 21 straight established Dec. 5 to Jan. 23 during the 1971-72 season.

Kane's first-period goal against the Los Angeles Kings on Nov. 28 gave him the record for an American-born player at 19 games. That goal broke a tie with Eddie Olczyk (Toronto Maple Leafs, 1989-90) and Phil Kessel (Boston Bruins, 2008-09).

Kane is the fifth NHL player since 1990-91 to have a point streak of at least 24 games, joining Mats Sundin (30 games, Quebec Nordiques, 1992-93); Sidney Crosby (25, Pittsburgh Penguins, 2010-11); Brett Hull (25, St. Louis Blues, 1991-92); and Gretzky (25, Los Angeles Kings, 1990-91).

The next-best streak this season is nine games (Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators; David Krejci, Boston Bruins; Bobby Ryan, Senators). The next-longest active streak is seven games (Jeff Carter, Los Angeles Kings).

Kane's streak almost ended at 17 games on Nov. 27 against the Anaheim Ducks, but he had an assist on Duncan Keith's goal with 27 seconds remaining in the third period of a 3-2 overtime win.