Former Blackhawks Star Patrick Kane Nets OT Winner To Cap Off Emotional Homecoming To Chicago

Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane ended his homecoming to Chicago in the most fitting way possible: scoring the game-winner in overtime.

With just over 3 minutes left in overtime, Kane scooped up a pass near center ice. Only Blackhawks goalie Peter Mrazek stood between him and two points for his new team.

Kane, like so many other times in his career, rose to the occasion and buried a top-shelf wrister. 

It should be illegal to score goals with that much filth.

Even though he no longer plays for Chicago, the Blackhawks faithful in the crowd erupted in applause for the guy who once frequently won games for them.

The final shot concluded an epid night in which the franchise honored one of its greatest players.

Patrick Kane Was A Legend For Chicago

Kane played for the Blackhawks for 16 years, amassing 446 goals, 779 assists, and nine All-Star appearances. Oh, he also won three Stanley Cups (2010, 2013, 2015), and notched the title-clinching goal in overtime of Game 6 in 2010 against the Philadelphia Flyers.

The man was an absolute menace in Chicago, and is one of the best American-born hockey players in NHL history. He was regularly at the center of much of the Blackhawks' success in the 2010’s, and a fan-favorite in the Windy City.

Nevertheless, all good things come to an end. In 2023, the franchise traded him to the Rangers in a three-team deal, thus ending one of the finest careers of any player in a Chicago uniform.

Fans Couldn't Wait For Kane To Return Home

During Kane’s brief stint with the Blueshirts, he never got a chance to go back to his original home. Now that he’s with Detroit, he finally got a chance for a proper homecoming today.

The reunion got off to a great start even before the game started, as Kane reunited with several of his teammates from the Stanley Cup teams.

Then of course, the Blackhawks put together a tribute video that will give even the most casual fan goosebumps.

And of course, a homecoming wouldn’t be complete without a round of applause. Like, a really long one.

After the video ended, Kane did a quick skate on the ice to thank the fans for their admiration. But the crowd clapped for so long, he had to do another one. Even after two skates to satisfy the crowd, Kane had to do another skate before the Blackhawks faithful would stop applauding their former hero. That would be a foreshadowing of their response after overtime ended.

Even though Kane now wears a different sweater (and scores OT winners for other teams), Chicago will always have a place in their hearts for the future Hall-of-Famer.