NHL: Chicago Blackhawks Can Step Up and Get It Done Without Patrick Kane

Less than a minute into Chicago's match up with the Calgary Flames Sunday night at the United Center, all eyes were focused near the Flames' blue line—not on the puck, but at the young man clutching his left leg.

Patrick Kane's first shift Sunday was his last shift.  For how long, who knows?

Kane appeared to get his left leg caught up against the boards and was helped off the ice.  He did not return in the Blackhawks' 4-2 win over the Flames.  An MRI today will likely tell a more detailed story for the Chicago winger.

Is it going to be a story we want to hear?

Coach Joel Quenneville said that he didn't believe the injury to be serious.   I interpret "serious" to mean "season-ending."  But it appears to me like Kane will miss some time with a lower body injury to the knee or ankle.

Best case, he takes the week off (just misses the Dallas game) and plays in San Jose Saturday night.

Worst case?

I guess we'll find out this week.  (UPDATE:  The Hawks announced Tuesday that Kane could miss up to three weeks with a lower body injury, likely his left ankle.)

Regardless of the extent of the damage to Kane, it's just the latest in a rash of recent injuries suffered by the Blackhawks.  Along with Fernando Pisani and Marian Hossa, Chicago is now missing three of their starting forwards.  Pisani has been day-to-day for over a week now.  Hossa won't return for another couple of weeks and Kane will probably be held out for at least a game or two (keeping the fingers crossed).

Much like the Red Wings last season, Chicago has found themselves falling prey to multiple injuries this season.  Fortunately for the Blackhawks, guys are beginning to pick up the slack left by the missing players.

Jack Skille skated some first line minutes after Kane departed.  Though he didn't tally any points, he skated well, fired three shots on goal and created some scoring opportunities for his line mates.  Expect a jump in minutes from Skille if Kane is out for any length of time.

Dave Bolland had a good game Sunday, even without counting the empty net goal he scored late in the contest.  Bryan Bickell got the Hawks on the board with a nice top shelf wrister past Miikka Kiprusoff.  Jeremy Morin has played like he wants to stay here awhile, which is good because he might have to do just that.

In Kane's absence, everyone pulled together, played tough defensively, killed off eight minutes of penalties in the third period and didn't let Calgary sneak away with a point or two.  In short, the Hawks won the type of game they had been dropping at home earlier in the season.

Despite the injuries, they must feel good about that.

With just one game in the next five days, the Blackhawks have a little time to heal up.  If Pisani can make it back into the lineup and Kane is able to return quickly, terrific.

If not...

"We've found a way to play without some of our top players, like Soupy and Hoss, and know we don't have a choice,"  said Jonathan Toews. "We'll do it without Kaner."

To do that, guys need to continue stepping up.  Let's see who does against the Stars.