Artem Anisimov breaking out of linemates’ shadows

Some of the details have grown fuzzy with time, but Patrick Kane thinks he was about 15 years old and playing in a tournament in Russia the first time he saw Artem Anisimov.

“Out first game was against Russia, and he was the one player that kind of stuck out,” Kane recalled. “I just remember he wore No. 12, and was just a big, left-handed centerman with a lot of skill. I think he scored a couple goals that game, too. That was the first time we played the Russians, and you kind of get scared playing against a guy like that. He was special at that age.”

“Scary” isn’t usually the first adjective that comes to mind for Anisimov. The big Russian — just a few months older than Kane — is far more likely to giggle than growl. Always introspective and thoughtful, occasionally animated and hilarious, Anisimov seems more comfortable than ever this season for the Blackhawks — less self-conscious about his English (which is quite good), no longer politely declining interviews after practices and games, and no longer clinging only to fellow Russian Artemi Panarin in the dressing room.

Of course, it helps when you’re leading the entire NHL in both goals and points.

Anisimov has posted seven goals and six assists during a torrid eight-game point streak. He’s so hot, Kane joked that he should have shot instead of passed on Anisimov’s power-play goal in the third period Tuesday night against Calgary, to try to preserve his franchise-record 26-game point streak.

“I’ve got to start thinking about that, right?” Kane said with a grin.

It’s been quite a run a guy who flew under the radar for most of last season while his wings — Calder Trophy winner Panarin and Hart Trophy winner Kane — racked up the points and the accolades. Anisimov had a very respectable 20 goals and 22 assists last season, but he’s never produced at a pace like this. His most productive NHL season was his second year with the New York Rangers in 2010-11, when he had 44 points in 82 games. He’s crashing the net, pouncing on loose pucks, and setting up teammates at a remarkable clip.

Thing is, Anisimov actually had a terrible start to the season. Barely two weeks ago, he sounded lost and despondent after taking four penalties through the first three games, posting just one assist, and failing miserably at the faceoff dot. Only three games in, he was worried things could snowball in the wrong direction, saying he needed to “stop that snowball — just break it, smash it into pieces,” while miming a hammer-swing over and over again. The frustration in his voice was palpable.

A two-goal, two-assist performance the next day against the Philadelphia Flyers did the trick, and Anisimov hasn’t looked back since. Even Joel Quenneville swapping out Kane for Marian Hossa on his right wing hasn’t slowed him down — Anisimov has a goal in all three games since the lines were shuffled.

While the Hawks are glad to see the scoring boom for Anisimov, they’re not entirely surprised.

“I’ve seen him play this well,” Panarin said through an interpreter. “It’s hockey, you’re not always scoring. I’m really glad he has a streak like this, and I hope it doesn’t end.”

Anisimov started hot last season, too, with 11 goals in the first 26 games. He cooled off considerably after that, but was the linchpin of the Hawks’ superb second line, doing all the little things defensively and around the net to allow Panarin and Kane to have monster seasons. So far this season, he’s the one having the monster year — looking every bit as scary to opponents as he did to Kane as a 15-year-old — and his teammates couldn’t be happier for him.

“You know what? He’s a really great person,” Kane said. “He’s one of those guys that’s always calm and relaxed, and [then] he’ll kind of surprise you with a comment here or there that’s really funny. He’s just a really great guy, and a great teammate, too.”

Email: mlazerus@suntimes.com

Twitter: @marklazerus