Anaheim: While Evander Kane watched Stanley Cup play-off hockey from his couch during the first eight years of his NHL career, the power forward felt confident he could thrive in the pressurised atmosphere of the postseason if he could only get the chance.
When his long-delayed opportunity finally arrived on Thursday night, Kane did everything he ever thought he could.
Kane scored two goals in his first career play-off game and Martin Jones made 25 saves as the San Jose Sharks beat the Anaheim Ducks 3-0 in their first-round series opener.
The game was a remarkable breakthrough for Kane, who joined the Sharks in a trade six weeks ago and reached the NHL postseason for the first time after 574 regular-season games and far too many early summers in Atlanta, Winnipeg and Buffalo.
“It was nice to finally get out in the play-off atmosphere, and it was fun to finally get my first playoff win,” Kane said. “It’s nice to contribute. That’s my job. I feel confident in my abilities. I don’t think it was my best game, but I’m never going to be mad when we get a playoff win and I get to contribute.”
