The Chicago Blackhawks announced that forward Patrick Kane would not return for the third period of Tuesday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Blackhawks stated it was a “medical update” and no further information was provided. The Lightning defeated the Blackhawks 4-1.
Kane played on the top line along with Max Domi and Andreas Athanasiou throughout the first and second periods.
He registered 12:57 of ice time and two shots on goal. Kane briefly left the Jan. 1 game against the San Jose Sharks after taking a hit to the right leg by Sharks forward Evgeny Svechnikov.
However, he returned and played another shift, finishing the game with 1 goal and 18:49 of ice time.
Throughout this season, Kane leads the Blackhawks with 27 points (7G, 20A) in 36 games. He also leads the team in powerplay points with 15, and a Corsi-For of 41.0%.
Last season Kane registered 66 assists and 92 points in 78 games; the third time throughout Kane’s remarkable career that he has achieved 60-plus assists in one season.
The 34-year-old right winger is widely considered to be one of the hottest trade targets ahead of the NHL trade deadline; where he will look to help lead a team into the Stanley Cup Playoffs and capture his fourth Stanley Cup.
The four-time NHL All-Star carries a cap hit of a whopping $10.5M and will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. With Kane sidelined, the Blackhawks were forced down to just 10 forwards.
Forward Tyler Johnson skated during warmups but did not suit up for the game due to a non-COVID-related illness. As a result, defenseman Caleb Jones was situated into the lineup as a forward.
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