Patrick Kane’s slump is officially over. The Blackhawks forward has laid a hat trick on the Bruins on Sunday as part of a four-point performance that has Chicago looking as good as it has in weeks. Kane is also the first NHL player to reach 100 points in a season since Sidney Crosby recorded 104 during the 2013-14 season thanks to his impressive afternoon.
“Peanut butter!”
-Coach Q, probably. pic.twitter.com/32tsiSUZL8
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 3, 2016
Point No. 98 for No. 88. pic.twitter.com/cBtoe3YBfI
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 3, 2016
Naturally, the final goal to complete the hat trick and 100-point season came off a beautiful pass from Artemi Panarin. The two wingers have become a dominant one-two scoring punch for the Hawks’ second line this season and have assisted on many of each other’s goals. It’s no coincidence that Kane’s best offensive season to date comes with Panarin as his linemate.
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 3, 2016
Kane now has 43 goals and 57 assists this season. The goal total is easily a career high, topping the 30 goals he scored as a 21-year-old in 2009-10, the same year he set a high with 58 assists. He’s the first Blackhawks player to reach 100 points in a season since Jeremy Roenick in 1993-94.
It’s looking increasingly likely that Kane will win the Art Ross Trophy at the very least this season. He’s currently 12 points ahead of Jamie Benn and 19 points ahead of Crosby. Kane is also second in goals behind Alex Ovechkin (45). Erik Karlsson leads the league with 64 assists.