These are the games that Patrick Kane lives for, and are the reason why the Detroit Red Wings sought to add him to their lineup.

In the last couple of games, instead of an old Kane, he’s looking more like the Kane of old.

“He’s had a lot of jump for a couple of games,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan said. “I think he understands the situation and the need for him to elevate, and he’s capable of doing it.”

Kane connected with his chem lab partner, Alex DeBrincat, for a pair of goals in Monday’s 5-2 win over the Calgary Flames. The first saw DeBrincat hit Kane with a breakaway feed early in the second period. The scorer of more than 500 NHL goals waited until Calgary goalie Dustin Wolf dropped into the butterfly, then immediately roofed a shot over Wolf’s shoulder.

With his first goal tonight (#503), Patrick Kane passes Joe Mullen for the fourth-most by a U.S.-born player in NHL history pic.twitter.com/zlkxdZBgiy

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 17, 2026

That tally tied the game at 1-1. Later in the period, DeBrincat found Kane for the eventual game-winner on a bang-bang play.

“Those guys led the way,” Red Wings goalie John Gibson said.

Kaner x2. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/IXjJMlahxM

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 17, 2026

Kane and DeBrincat have combined to produce five goals so far in March. And this revival couldn’t arrive at a more appropriate time.

Red Wings Need What Kane Can Offer

Minus captain Dylan Larkin’s 28 goals, offense is a much-needed commodity for the Red Wings. Kane can deliver those goods.

In fact, he expects that level of productivity from himself.

“We all want to be known as big game players,” said Kane, a three-time Stanley Cup champion. “And I think if you have the right mindset and attitude coming into it, that you’re going to play confident, you’re going to get the job done.

“More often than not, you play with a little bit of an edge and kind of put together a better showing individually and team-wise, too. So I think we all want to be good this time of year.”

Showtime Shows Up

You don’t earn the nickname Showtime if you aren’t in the habit of showing up when it matters most.

This isn’t Kane’s first rodeo. Or his second. Or his 10th, for that matter.

He’s aware of the stakes. He recognizes how much it’s needed that he provide that level of quality at this most important time of the season.

That awareness is amplified by the knowledge that the team is missing 42 goals from the lineup due to injury.

“It’s an important time, and it’s tough when you see some of your best players go down,” Kane said. “But I think the position we’re in, I think in some aspects you’re playing for them.

“You’re trying to do the job while they’re out, so when they come back, we’re in a good position as a team.”

Kane is one of the few proven offensive talents left in the Detroit lineup. He needs to produce results to keep this team in the playoff hunt.

Monday, he did exactly that.