Sharks’ Evander Kane scores twice in his first Stanley Cup playoff game

Evander Kane didn’t waste much time making his presence felt during the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The San Jose Sharks forward scored two second-period goals in his playoff debut to lead his team to a 3-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks in Game 1 of a first-round series Thursday at Honda Center.

The first goal came 10 seconds into a five-on-three power play, when Kane took a Joe Pavelski pass in the slot and beat Ducks goaltender John Gibson glove side.

The 27-year-old, who was acquired by San Jose from Buffalo near the trade deadline in February, added another goal nearly seven minutes later. Kane took another Pavelski pass and beat Gibson on a breakaway with a nifty backhand shot.

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is at 10:30 p.m. ET Saturday on NBC Sports Network.

Kane played nine seasons and 574 career NHL games between the Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres, and San Jose before playing in his first postseason game.

Prior to Thursday’s game, Kane wasn’t worried about being able to step up his level of play in the playoffs.

“I’ve said it in the past: I think I’m a playoff player,” Kane told The Washington Post on Monday. “I’ve watched the playoffs and when I look at the style of play and it’s something I was jealous because I wasn’t involved in it. Now I get that opportunity and I have to back those words up.”

Kane added an instant punch to San Jose’s scoring with nine goals and five assists in 17 games prior to the playoffs. And with two goals already in his first playoff game, it doesn’t look he’s slowing down anytime soon.