• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Chicago Blackhawks

Patrick Kane’s Scoring Title Challengers

By Meghan Dillon February 1st, 2019

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks is often thought of as the best active American-born player in the NHL. He further cemented this status at the end of the 2015-16 season when he became the first American-born player to take home the Art Ross Trophy. He also made history that season with his historic 26-game point streak, as well as taking home the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award.

He’s had a very strong 2018-19 season, but does he have the chops to win another scoring title? And who is he up against this season?

What Kane’s Stats Say

As of Jan. 31, 2019, Kane has tallied a total of 29 goals and 42 assists, giving him 71 points. According to league stat-keeping, this puts him in fifth place overall in points.

Kane believes he can break his own record on a hot streak, as he told the Daily Herald before the start of the season, “Throughout seasons you always have some type of streak where you can get hot,” he said. “The thing is trying to keep that going as long as possible. In that (MVP) season, I had a 26-game (point) streak. I mean that’s something that can’t really be replicated unless you get really hot. Just take it a game at a time, try to produce every night and see what happens.” (from ‘Patrick Kane is off to his best start ever. He thinks he can reach “another level.”’- Daily Herald – 11/02/18).

Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane

Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) celebrates with teammates after his goal against the Calgary Flames during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Head coach Jeremy Colliton believes Kane can do even more, as he told the Chicago Sun-Times, “I think he’s got more to give, which is exciting. You see how many plays he makes out there, and he can make even more. His line can play with the puck more and be in the offensive zone and execute and be cleaner, so looking forward to that.” (from ‘Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton thinks red-hot Patrick Kane can do even more’ – Chicago Sun-Times – 12/31/18).

He has yet to add another lengthy point streak to his resume this season but has had several smaller point streaks scattered around. He tallied 106 points the last time he took home the Art Ross Trophy, only 35 points ahead of Kane’s current 71 points. With only 31 games left in the season, he should have no problem breaking his own record since he is averaging above a point per game.

That leads to the main question, can he beat his competitors in the race to a scoring title?

What About the Others?

Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning is currently in the lead for most points with 22 goals and 79 points. Like Kane, Kucherov is known for tallying big numbers, even reaching 100 points, a career-high, in the 2017-18 season. This season he is on track to break his personal record.

Tampa Bay Lightning Nikita Kucherov Edmonton Oilers Jason Garrison

Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov and Edmonton Oilers defenseman Jason Garrison (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Codie McLachlan)

Kucherov is one of Kane’s biggest competitors when it comes to being a top scorer. Like most younger NHL players, he admires Kane, as he told the Tampa Bay Times, “Everything he does, it seems easy and smooth,” Kucherov said. “He’s an unbelievable player. Every time we play against him, I’m just watching him and have got the best seat in the arena.” (from ‘Nikita Kucherov really does admire Patrick Kane’ – Tampa Bay Times – 11/27/17).

22-year-old Mikko Rantanen of the Colorado Avalanche currently holds second place in the scoring race with 23 goals and 51 assists, a total of 74 points. He is set to beat his career-high of 84 points he tallied last season. With over 30 games left to go for the Avalanche, he can easily beat his record and possibly win a scoring title.

Johnny Gaudreau of the Calgary Flames lands in third place with 29 goals and 44 assists, giving him a total of 73 points. Like Rantanen, he’s set to beat his career-high of 84 points that he set last season. Gaudreau is often cited alongside Kane and Auston Matthews as some of the best American-born players in the NHL. He even beat Kane in the puck control contest at the 2019 All-Star Skills Competition.

Fourth place goes to Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers with 29 goals and 73 points. Like Kane, McDavid is no stranger to winning a scoring title. Since Kane won in the 2015-16 season, McDavid has taken the title twice. Often cited as the top player in the NHL, he’s a tough one to beat. With Kane only two points behind him, the possibility of him taking back his crown is alive and well.

Oilers forward Connor McDavid

Oilers forward Connor McDavid (Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports)

The Verdict

All four players ahead of Kane have a similar style of play to him. They are all speedy and dominant forwards, and all are at least five years younger than Kane. The game of hockey is quickly becoming younger, and these four players are perfect examples of that trend.

At 30, Kane is having no trouble keeping up with the younger crowd. With half the season over and the numbers tight, the scoring title isn’t guaranteed to anyone. If Kane continues on his current path, he can easily take the scoring title. The challenge will be scoring more than all of the players ahead of him. With all five players on a hot streak, the scoring title will most likely go to whoever has the best scoring streak.

  • Tags
  • Patrick Kane
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 16th 10:35 AM
St Louis Blues

3 Takeaways from Blues’ First Two Games Versus Avalanche

Jan 16th 10:25 AM
Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche’s Reunited Top Line Erupts to Beat Blues 8-0

Jan 16th 10:15 AM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs’ Andersen off to Another Slow Start

Jan 16th 10:05 AM
Arizona Coyotes

3 Stars For Gila River Arena in Coyotes Opener

Jan 16th 9:55 AM
Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens Retooling: They Obviously Aren’t All In

Jan 16th 9:45 AM
Calgary Flames

Flames Struggle to Play With the Lead Again in First Loss of the Season

Jan 16th 9:35 AM
Commentary

Marleau Leads Players, Coaches Seeking NHL Milestones in 2020-21

Jan 16th 9:25 AM
Los Angeles Kings

Kings Look for Redemption After Opening Night Loss to the Wild

Jan 16th 9:15 AM
Washington Capitals

Vitek Vanecek: The Capitals’ New Backup Goalie

Jan 16th 9:05 AM
St Louis Blues

Blues Who Have Point-per-Game Potential

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information