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Patrick Kane cleared to play Game 1 of the NHL Playoffs vs Nashville

By Patrick Schmidt

Feb 15, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) with the puck during the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) with the puck during the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Chicago Blackhawks expect Patrick Kane to return to the lineup for their first-round playoff series against the Nashville Predators.

Patrick Kane was cleared to take contact in practice on Monday as the Chicago Blackhawks right wing took his biggest step toward making his return to the ice for the first time since breaking his clavicle on Feb. 24.

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The Blackhawks estimated he would need 12 weeks to recover from the injury which put his estimated return in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. His recovery was quicker than anticipated and Kane could return for Game 1 on Wednesday against the Nashville Predators if he gets through Tuesday’s practice unscathed.

“We’ll see how he does again [in practice on Tuesday],” Quenneville said, via ESPN.com. “I thought he had real good progress today. He got cleared for contact and handled everything pretty well. I thought [his] line looked good as well. We’ll see how he is [Tuesday], and we’re encouraged by today.”

Kane skated with Kris Versteeg and Brad Richards on the team’s second line and was on the top power play unit, but the former Conn Smythe winner is remaining cautious about his availability for the first game of the series against their Central division rival.

“Where I am right now is just kind of go through practice today and see how I feel, and get as ready as possible and try to feel like what it’s like to be in a game simulation,” Kane said.. “I thought it was a good day, good practice for the team overall. Overall, I feel pretty good. Just got to take it day by day right now.

“I don’t really know yet [about Game 1]. It’s too early to tell right now. There still needs to be some things to hash out before that happens.”

Whether he returns for Game 1 or returns later in the series, it is still ahead of schedule from the initial diagnosis and should give the Blackhawks a boost of confidence after ending the regular season with four straight one-goal losses and scored a total of five goals in the losses.

When Kane was injured he had 27 goals and 34 assists in 61 games this season and led the league in points. Chicago went 12-8-1 but the offense was a far cry from when No. 88 was on the ice. The Blackhawks scored fewer than two goals in nine of the 21 games without Kane.

He’s only missed one postseason game in his career and has earned a reputation as one of the most clutch players in the league with 37 goals and 91 points in 93 games, including seven game-winning goals.

Chicago went 3-1-0 against Nashville this season.

Update: Kane cleared to play in Game 1.

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