Patrick Kane was bumped down to the second power-play unit during a Blackhawks' practice. Chicago has converted on just one of their last 21 power-play opportunities. Meanwhile, Kane has just nine power-play points in 39 games this season, compared to 24 in 73 contests in 2010-11 and 29 points in 82 games two seasons ago. "You can understand the changes," Kane said. "(Patrick Sharp), (Marian) Hossa and Toews are hot and we need a net-front guy, so you can understand (Andrew Brunette) in front. Hopefully they light it up, and hopefully we do too." We suspect that Kane won't end up spending two much time on the Blackhawks' second unit.

Patrick Kane is projected to return to the middle for Chicago on Friday night against Detroit. He started the 2011-12 campaign at center, but had gotten back to playing his natural position at right wing earlier this month. The Blackhawks want to create a more balanced scoring attack, so Kane is slated to play between Patrick Sharp and Viktor Stalberg.

Patrick Kane is expected to play on Wednesday after missing Tuesday's practice with strep throat. The Chicago forward said he has been dealing with the illness since Christmas Eve and it hurt his game during Monday's win over Columbus. "I think the worst is over now," said Kane, who is taking antibiotics. "(I'll) just try to get through it tonight, I guess."

Patrick Kane missed practice on Tuesday with the flu. The 21-year-old will be re-evaluated on Wednesday and will likely be a game-time decision. He has nine goals and 34 points this season and while it is not a great season for a player line Kane, most NHLers would give up their right arm to have a season like this.

Patrick Kane has only nine goals heading into the Christmas break. After seasons of 30 and 27 goals respectively, Kane is on pace for only 20 this season. He has 25 assists, so he is on an 80 point pace, but his goal scoring, or lack thereof, has to be disconcerting. "It's definitely low to me," Kane said. "You see some different numbers around the league and the guys on your team and it would be nice if it was a little higher. One of the fun parts about playing the game is scoring. Things probably will start turning around quickly. I feel pretty good on the ice and I'm getting some chances. Usually when you start getting chances the goals start going in."

Patrick Kane will be featured on a new Versus series called NHL 36, which will debut at 6:30pm ET on Wednesday. The show chronicles 36 hours in the life of a hockey player. "It's 36 hours with a camera in your face and a microphone on (so) it's a bit different," Kane said. "It was pretty cool having a camera following you around to see what you're doing in your daily life. It was kind of weird when you'd be taping your sticks and there's a camera in your face (but) it was fun nonetheless." An hour after the program starts, Kane and the Blackhawks will take on the Minnesota Wild.

Patrick Kane has registered four assists in the Blackhawks' last two games. It is no coincidence that Kane has started to put points on the board since he was returned to his right wing position on the team's top line two games ago. As the talented forward had a mere three assists in his previous six games as a center, look for Kane to remain on right wing for the foreseeable future. That's great news for all Kane owners.

Patrick Kane returned to his familiar position at right wing during Thursday's practice and coach Joel Quenneville said Kane would remain there for the foreseeable future. "Center worked for a little bit," Kane said. "It's one of those things where it's still an option down the road. Sometimes you just have to keep things exciting and switch it up. I'm back at the right wing (and) I'm familiar with the position. I have to get used to it a little bit but it shouldn't take long." He skated alongside Viktor Stalberg and Jonathan Toews in the session. Kane has no goals and three assists in his past six games, so it was time for a change.

Patrick Kane had a game-high seven shots on goal in Chicago's 1-0 loss on Wednesday. Kane has seven goals and is second on the team with 22 points in 22 games. He's a reliable point-per-game player, but he has the potential to surpass his career-high of 88 points in 2011-12.

The Oilers did not give Patrick Kane much of a birthday present. The young star turned 23 Saturday and the Oilers were anything but generous in blowing out Kane's Hawks 9-2. Despite the fact that Kane and his teammates were justifiably embarrassed by their performance in Alberta this weekend, the fifth-year pivot has matured as a player this season. "(Kane's) growing - he really is," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "Whether it's more mature in the way he carries himself or the way he prepares. That's all part of being a kid growing up. You learn some things and you get better habits and you become a better pro. I think we're seeing that in Patrick." The sky 's the limit for Kane.