Blackhawks' Kane can set American point-streak mark

Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane can set the record for most consecutive games with a point by an American-born player at 19 on Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center (10:30 p.m. ET; WGN, FS-W).

Kane had the secondary assist on Duncan Keith's tying goal with 27 seconds left in the third period Friday against the Anaheim Ducks in a game the Blackhawks would win 3-2 in overtime. Kane tied Eddie Olczyk (Toronto Maple Leafs, 1989-90) and Phil Kessel (Boston Bruins, 2008-09) with a point in his 18th consecutive game.

Olczyk was the third pick in the 1984 NHL Draft by the Blackhawks and played for them for three seasons (1984-87). He is an analyst on CSN Chicago and NBC.

"You look at the players … the two guys that are part of that record, Kessel and Olczyk, that's some pretty elite company," Kane, who has 10 goals and 29 points during the streak, told the Blackhawks website. "It's been a fun little ride here. It seems like I'm making it a little difficult on myself here, with the last few games, but it's something you try not to think about."

Kane's streak began Oct. 17 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He had a seven-game goal streak from Nov. 2-15.

"Pat Kane's having a career year," Kings assistant coach John Stevens told the Los Angeles Times on Saturday. "He's a danger all the time and he's got a little chemistry with [Artemi Panarin] there. ... He's probably the best player in the League at utilizing the top half of the zone offensively. He's as good an open-ice player as there is in the League."

Kane's point streak is the longest in the NHL since Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby had a 25-game point streak (26 goals, 24 assists) from Nov. 5 to Dec. 28, 2010, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Kane is three games shy of tying the Blackhawks record of a 21-game point streak, set by Bobby Hull during the 1971-72 season. His 18-game streak ties him for third with Denis Savard (1981-82) and Clint Smith (1943-44). Savard is also second on the list with a 19-game point streak during the 1985-86 season.

Kane, the first pick in the 2007 NHL Draft, leads the League in assists (22) and points (35) this season, and is tied for second in goals (13). He has 218 goals and 374 assists for 592 points in 599 regular-season games. The goals, assists and points are all the most of any player from his draft class. Kane is ninth in the League in assists and points since making his NHL debut on Oct. 4, 2007.

"There's not too many players like him that come around," Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford said of Kane. "He could be the best American player of all time and he's still young (27). He will (be) if he continues to do so many things and be that sort of game-changer that he's been his whole career."