Patrick Kane was going up and down the ice at his familiar quick pacealbeit on a less-than-familiar side of the line. The right wingercenterright wingcenter was on the move again, this time to the left wing.
Although Kane apparently had a different idea on who should play there.
He mentioned, Can you ask Johnny (Toews) to play left wing today? coach Joel Quenneville said with a laugh. That was Kaners line.
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Its musical-chair time again for Kane who, when Toews does return, will be playing left wing. This is a very different move for Kane, who has only played that spot sparingly in his career. But as with his move to center, with which he was more familiar, Kane took it in stride.
Its just a position, he said. Its a little different, and maybe a couple of times here and there Ive played it. I just want to play with the puck, work hard. Especially with the skill we have, it seems like it could be a fun line.
Indeed, with Kane, Toews and Marian Hossa together at the top, it could be a very potent line. Kane and Hossa formed great chemistry when Kane centered the top line, and Quenneville wanted to keep the two of them together when Toews returned. That, and hes liking the rest of his lines as they are.
Its something we havent tried but we will try, he said.All the other lines are in order and have done a good job down the stretch, so we dont want to tinker too much with the lines. That (top) line should, or could, work.
Theyll have a few days to practice it, as the Blackhawks and Phoenix Coyotes dont begin their first-round series until Thursday. Kane said hell use the time wisely.
Its good that we have a few practices to get adjusted; its fine, Ill get used to it, he said. You look at the other lines: (Dave) Bollands line been paying good, (Marcus) Krugers line been our best the past couple of weeks. With that (top) line its been in and out with left wingers, so when Johnny comes back Ill fill the slot there.
Patrick Sharp, whos played all three forward spots himself, said Kane will adjust just finejust like he did at center.
Its just getting used to catching passes on forehand instead of the backhand and entering the zone a little different, Sharp said. That was my spot the last few years, playing all the different places. And now hes going through it. Hats off to him. Hes done a great job at it.