Considering the drastic difference in what Wayne Gretzky faced during his epic streak (seriously, the defense in some of these highlights) and what Patrick Kane deals with today, it’s not too crazy to compare and contrast their runs.
Gretzky didn’t go as far as to outright say Kane’s feat is more impressive (he goes back and forth on that issue starting at the five-minute mark of this Hockey Central interview), yet there’s no doubt that he’s impressed.
No. 99 believes that No. 88 should be “proud” of what he’s accomplishing.
Either way, “The Great One” wants to be there if Kane manages to match his historic 51-game point streak.
“If Patrick can keep this going, good for him. It’s great for hockey,” Gretzky said, via NHL.com’s transcription. “And if he gets to 50, 51, I’ll be the first guy to go to the game.”
NHL.com also provided a handy breakdown of Kane’s streak:
PATRICK KANE’S POINT STREAK 1. Oct. 17 vs. CBJ -- 1 G, 0 A, 1 P 2. Oct. 22 vs. FLA -- 1 G, 2 A, 3 P 3. Oct. 24 vs. TBL -- 0 G, 1 A, 1 P 4. Oct. 26 vs. ANA -- 0 G, 1 A, 1 P 5. Oct. 29 at WPG -- 1 G, 0 A, 1 P 6. Oct. 30 at MIN -- 0 G, 1 A, 1 P 7. Nov. 2 vs. LAK -- 1 G, 1 A, 2 P 8. Nov. 4 vs. STL -- 1 G, 1 A, 2 P 9. Nov. 6 at NJD -- 1 G, 0 A, 1 P 10. Nov. 8 vs. EDM -- 1 G, 3 A, 4 P 11. Nov. 12 vs. NJD -- 1 G, 1 A, 2 P 12. Nov. 14 at STL -- 1 G, 0 A, 1 P 13. Nov. 15 vs. CGY -- 1 G, 1 A, 2 P 14. Nov. 18 at EDM -- 0 G, 2 A, 2 P 15. Nov. 20 at CGY -- 0 G, 1 A, 1 P 16. Nov. 21 at VAN -- 0 G, 1 A, 1 P 17. Nov. 25 at SJS -- 0 G, 2 A, 2 P 18. Nov. 27 at ANA -- 0 G, 1 A, 1 P 19. Nov. 28 at LAK -- 1 G, 1 A, 2 P 20. Dec. 1 vs. MIN -- 1 G, 0 A, 1 P 21. Dec. 3 at OTT -- 1 G, 2 A, 3 P 22. Dec. 6 vs. WPG -- 0 G, 1 A, 1 P 23. Dec. 8 vs. NSH -- 1 G, 0 A, 1 P
Totals: 23 GP, 14 Goals, 23 Assists, 37 Points
The Sportsnet Hockey Central interview is a great listen, and it begins with Gretzky’s interesting perspective, including a rebuttal that some might make about Kane keeping his streak alive with empty-net points.
Gretzky recalls a moment during his run when he scored an empty-net point to keep things alive ... after the opposing coach was booed by fans for emptying his net.
You can almost imagine telling Kane outright: “Any points count.”