Four takeaways: Blackhawks top guys lead the charge again

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Here are four takeaways from the Blackhawks' 4-1 win over the New York Rangers at the United Center on Thursday night:

1. The hottest start of Patrick Kane's career

With the Blackhawks leading 2-1 late in the third period, Kane scored to extend the lead to two goals and it essentially sealed the deal. It was his ninth goal of the season, becoming the first Blackhawks player to score nine goals in the first 10 games of the season since Jeremy Roenick in 1993-94.

"In some ways, yeah," Kane said on whether this is the best start of his career. "It'd be nice to have a little bit more production on the power play and still control the puck a little bit more, things like that. It's always a work in progress, but nice to be producing and hopefully just keep getting better as the season goes on here."

Seven of Kane's goals have come in the third period or overtime, showing just how important they are coming too.

2. Jonathan Toews climbing up franchise record books

After going pointless in his past three games and goalless in his previous six, The Captain got back on the scoresheet by scoring the Blackhawks' first goal of the game. Toews received a pass from Duncan Keith in the neutral zone, sliced through two Rangers defensemen, both of whom tripped and fell down, and beat Henrik Lundqvist short side for his sixth of the season.

With the goal, Toews tied Dennis Hull for sixth on the Blackhawks' all-time list with 298.

3. Depth scoring

The Blackhawks haven't gotten much offense from their bottom-six this season, with their top guys carrying the load through nine games. But with Nick Schmaltz getting moved to the third line, part of the payoff is the balance it creates.

And they got some much-needed depth scoring on Thursday. With game tied 1-1 in the second period, Schmaltz fed a terrific pass through the slot and found Alexandre Fortin, who tapped it in from the doorstep for his second goal in three games.

"I had a step on that guy," Schmaltz said. "That's kind of a tough shot when you're coming like that at such a tight angle. The goalie is right against the post so you don't really have much room to find a spot. So once I saw his stick there all alone it was kind of an easy no-brainer pass there."

4. Corey Crawford chips in at both ends

Speaking of depth scoring, the Blackhawks not only got contributions on offense from their bottom-six but also their starting goaltender. Crawford registered a secondary assist on Toews' goal in the first period, and is now tied for 21st among active NHL goalies with six points.

"I got lucky on that one," Crawford joked. "I don’t even remember what the play was. It’s always nice to steal that from one of our guys, though."

Crawford finished with 18 saves for his third straight win, and has allowed only one goal in each of them. Crawford's goals against average improved to 1.52 and has the third-best save percentage (.946) among goaltenders who have started at least four games.  

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