Patrick Kane is back for Chicago. Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals are back in the playoffs after a one-year break. And the Montreal Canadiens feel as if they’ve been in this position before against Ottawa, and it’s not a good memory for the Habs.
Welcome to the opening night of the NHL playoffs.
The postseason kicks off Wednesday night with Kane set to return from a broken collarbone as the Blackhawks try to go from third in the Central Division to a third Stanley Cup championship in six seasons.
“So it’s almost like it’s a new season for me, and I’m sure a lot of guys feel that way in here,” Kane said Tuesday. “It’s definitely exciting to get back and do something that I love, do something that is enjoyable for me to do, is go out and play hockey.”
Kane missed the final 21 games of the season, and the All-Star still finished second on the team with 27 goals and 64 points.