When Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane get behind the defense, good things are usually going to happen for the Chicago Blackhawks. On Sunday night against the San Jose Sharks, Toews found a lane to feed Kane for a one-timer … but an old friend was there to deny him.
Antti Niemi, who won a Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2010, made that 'save of the season' candidate in the first period against Chicago, which eventually defeated San Jose, 4-3. It was a save that left Patrick Kane grinning with his mouthpiece dangling from his lip; after the game, Kane was just as flabbergasted.
"I thought I had the whole open net," Kane said. "And usually a one-time in the middle of the net goes in, but he made a great save on it. I thought I was going to get off the bench and go to the locker room and take off my equipment to be honest with you."
… "I don't know if I wanted to smile or cry afterwards," Kane said. "Great goaltender. We witnessed that here a couple years ago. He had some great games in this building."
Kane had an assist in the game, but has just one goal since Dec. 20. He has Niemi's glove to thank for that drought continuing.