Scoring is down throughout the NHL, but Patrick Kane doesn’t appear to be having any issues. The Chicago Blackhawks’ star forward is in the midst of a career season, dominating the scoring race one year after another special regular season was cut short because of a broken clavicle.

While he returned ahead of schedule for the 2015 playoffs to help lead the Blackhawks to a third Stanley Cup in six years, Kane wants to put together a full season this time.

So far, that hasn’t been a problem for the Buffalo, N.Y., native.

“You realize in this league you can go into a slump, get injured, whatever it may be,” Kane said. “Going into the season, it was one of my goals to play a full season, to try and have that same consistency throughout and not worry too much about the last game or the upcoming game.

“I’m just staying focused on what’s next, and I think that’s been one of my keys to success.”

Kane led the league in points at the time of his injury last season. He has been more impressive midway through this season, already near his career-best mark in goals and leading the scoring race by a double-digit margin. He is looking to become the first U.S.-born player to win the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL regular-season scoring champion and the second American-born player to capture the Hart Trophy as regular-season MVP.

“I’m just trying to take it one game at a time, whether I have a good or bad game,” Kane said. “Just wipe the slate clean and make sure you’re ready for the next one.”

Kane enjoyed a 26-game point streak earlier this season, scoring 16 goals and 24 assists during that span. It was the longest streak since the 1992-93 season and the longest by an American-born skater, surpassing Ed Olczyk and Phil Kessel’s respective 18-game runs.

“At the time, it was pretty special,” said Kane, who also broke Chicago’s franchise record of 21 held by Bobby Hull.

“It’s one of those things you try not to focus on too much, but at the same time there’s a lot of attention, a lot of media and a lot of talk about the streak when it’s going on. It’s pretty special. I don’t know if you realize at the time exactly what is going on.”

Kane, a two-time U.S. Olympian, expressed interest in the revived World Cup of Hockey tournament, which will take place next fall in Toronto.

“It would be an honor to play in the tournament,” Kane said. “There’s going to be a lot of attention on the tournament, especially with it being in Toronto. Just to be part of the U.S. team would be special.

“I’ve had the fortune to represent the U.S. at a couple Olympics and world championships, and I never take it for granted.”

Kane, who has 18 goals and 40 points in 33 international games, recalled how special it was to watch the Americans win the 1996 World Cup of Hockey.

“It would be nice to do it again,” Kane said. “I know American hockey is on the upswing here with a lot of good, young players and a lot of things headed in the right direction for USA Hockey, so it would be nice to do well in that tournament.”

Kane can certainly help provide. The 27-year-old is one of the top U.S. players in the game, and he hopes to again show that on the world stage.

“It’s pretty special to put on the American sweater,” Kane said. “There are so many great American players in the game today, even a lot of the young players coming up have bright futures.

“It keeps getting better and better, and hopefully it translates into some wins at big tournaments. I think the game is in a good spot for USA Hockey.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.