The point streak had to end at some point. And for Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks, that point was after 26 straight games hitting the score sheet.

Semyon Varlamov made 29 saves, and the Colorado Avalanche defeated the Blackhawks in Chicago on Tuesday night, 3-0.

Kane was held without a shot on goal against the Avs – the first regular-season game in which Kane was held shot-less this season and the first since Jan. 16, 2015, vs. the Winnipeg Jets. He skated 23:11 and had 24 shifts, including 1:34 of power-play time. He had three shot attempts that were blocked or adjusted by the Avs’ defense.

It was a rare ineffective night for his line with Artem Anisimov and Artemi Panarin, which generated seven shot attempts and only one shot on goal against Colorado.

The streak began on Oct. 17, when he tallied an empty-net goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets. It would continue for 25 more games in which Kane amassed 16 goals and 24 assists. The Blackhawks went 15-7-4 during the streak before losing to the Avalanche.

It was the longest streak in NHL history for an American-born player, topping the 18 straight posted by Eddie Olczyk (1999-00) and Phil Kessel (2008-09). It was the longest streak in Blackhawks history, passing the 21 in a row that Bobby Hull had in the 1971-72 season. His 26 games was the longest streak in the NHL since Mats Sundin went 30 games for the Quebec Nordiques in 1992-93.

Wayne Gretzky’s record remains safe, however: 51 games with a point in the 1983-84 season. And he totally thought Kane had a chance to break it…

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Greg Wyshynski is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter. His book, TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE PUCK, is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.

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