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Many hockey fans are already looking forward to the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics but history was unfolding just a week before. It was thought that Patrick Kane would become the sole all-time leading scorer for American-born players against the LA Kings. However, destiny was delayed but it was never denied. The Detroit Red Wings superstar finally notched the feat over Mike Modano when he went up against the Alex Ovechkin-led Washington Capitals.
Kane becomes American-born all-time leading scorer
The circumstances of this game was far from ideal. The Red Wings could not find the back of the net in the first period. Ovechkin remained relentless with four shots on goal and became a problem for the Detroit defense as the game went by as well. But, the home crowd at Little Caesars Arena was not going to be swayed by negative energy.
They all came for one thing and it happened. Kane threaded the puck to Alex DeBrincat. The game was tied and finally the Red Wings star surpassed Modano.
— NHL (@NHL) January 30, 2026Tears came out and his face showed a lot of emotion during the game. But, it seems that he was thinking more about the 4-3 shootout loss after it all, via Nicholas J. Cotsonika of NHL.com.
“I mean, special, special moment, right?...I mean, you know, I think it’s nice to have it over with in some ways, just kind of worry about the rest of the season and what we can accomplish as a team and hopefully go do something special as a group. Obviously, he’s (Modano) one of the best American players of all time, a guy I looked up to a lot when I was younger," Kane said about breaking the record.
The 37-year-old Red Wings veteran scored in the shootout but his two points and two shots on goal just were not enough to overcome Ovechkin's Capitals. He then got real about extending his career after achieving the feat.
“Still feel like there’s more in the tank and more that I can give to the team, and hoping that I can really find it down the stretch here as the time becomes really important. That’s kind of my thought right now. We’ll see with everything else after that," he added.
Regardless of the decision he makes about his career, American hockey fans will always remember the greatness of Patrick Kane. He has been a class act on the ice whether it's with the Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, or even during his 19-game run with the New York Rangers.
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