Blackhawks' Richards aiming to keep Kane atop NHL scoring list

With a goal and two assists in Wednesday's game win over Vancouver, Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks rose to the top of the NHL's scoring list with 62 points through 55 games.

Center Brad Richards hopes he remains there for the balance of the season.

"(Kane) doesn't think about that or talk about it," Richards disclosed to Steven Goldstein of the Chicago Tribune on Thursday. "(But) obviously it would be nice to keep him up there."

The talented winger is on pace for 40 goals and 92 points, which would mark career highs in both categories.

Heading into Friday's action, he holds a three point lead on Tyler Seguin and Jakub Vorcaek, while Sidney Crosby lurks in third with 58 points.

It's the latter who's the only player to rank ahead of Kane in points per game, with Crosby's 1.14 eclipsing Kane's 1.13 by the slimmest of margins.

Head coach Joel Quenneville is also touting Kane as a Hart Trophy candidate, praising his two-way game.

"What people don’t recognize is how much his defensive game has improved," the coach said, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. "When we don’t have the puck, he gets it."

Drafted first overall by the Blackhawks in 2007, Kane's previous career high of 88 points slotted him ninth in the scoring race that season. With no one on track to crack 100 points, this might be his best shot yet to take home the Art Ross Trophy this summer.