Patrick Kane further engrained himself in NHL history during the Rangers’ 4-3 win over the Panthers on Saturday night.
After a failed pass attempt to Vincent Trocheck, Kane then tried to feed the puck to Artemi Panarin, but the puck deflected off the stick of Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe and went over the shoulder of goalie Sergei Bobrovsky to give the Blueshirts their first lead of the night.
The goal was his 20th of the season, and the 450th of his career, which is the fourth most in the NHL since his debut season in 2007-08.
It was also the 1,233rd point of his storied career, moving him into second place on the NHL’s all-time list among U.S.-born players.
That whole play, and the accolades that came with it, could be seen as a microcosm of Kane’s first month as a Ranger.
The points are still piling up despite the fact Kane hasn’t come even close to his full potential.
Kane has four goals and four assists in 12 games, while the Rangers have gone 8-3-1 since he arrived.
The puck just seems to find the back of the net after it touches his stick — even when it’s unintentional.
Saturday’s goal was not the first fluky sequence Kane has been a part of since the Rangers acquired him from the Blackhawks on Feb. 28.
Kane agreed and giggled when that was brought to his attention by The Post, but the star winger quickly reverted to a serious tone.
“I feel like I’ve got a lot more to give to the team,” Kane told The Post after Saturday’s win.
Like a majority of the Rangers, Kane is deferring to his teammates more often than not.
The 34-year-old has made it clear that he’s actively trying not to step on anybody’s toes or play a selfish game on a team that was built by the likes of Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, Jacob Trouba, Adam Fox and Panarin, as he put it.
That kind of an attitude from a superstar like Kane should be appreciated, and admired.
It’s not always the case with players who have had the career that he has.
The Rangers, however, did not move mountains to bring in a passive version of Patrick Kane.
Kane needs to start looking for his shot and where his playmaking abilities can shine.
That should come as he continues to integrate himself into the locker room.
“I think it’s been easier,” Kane said when asked if he feels like he’s getting more comfortable. “Just being settled in with kind of a routine and getting to know the guys and what to expect as far as what’s going on in the locker room and scheduling, things like that.
“Definitely, I feel like I’m settled in, but I want to get to that next level, too.”
Still, Kane has now recorded his 15th season with 20 or more goals, which trails only the Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin (18) for the most among active players.
The Rangers’ top-six has been significantly more impactful since Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko joined.
Once Kane hits his stride, the possibilities are endless for this team.
He knows it, too.
“I think I’m used to more production throughout my career and especially with a good team like this, you probably expect a little bit more,” Kane said. “Hopefully, keep working at it, keep trying to grind away, figure out ways to just be better for us and hopefully create a bit more.”