Blackhawks could abandon 'nuclear option', considering Kane-Toews split for Game 3

After the "nuclear option" led the Chicago Blackhawks into the championship series, head coach Joel Quenneville may opt to spread the explosiveness across two lines for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Quenneville suggested that Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane - who were split for the third period Saturday night - could continue to work on separate units to create better matchups as the series shifts to home ice.

"It certainly enhances the offense when they are together, but certainly the balance is something we'll look at," Quenneville said via NHL.com's Dan Rosen.

"I think splitting those two up gives you a little bit more freedom as far as whether it's room or something for (the Lightning) to be concerned with."

Having the pair play apart, Quenneville will have at least one superstar on the ice when Tampa Bay's top pairing of Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman are on the bench.

Toews and Kane have combined for just one assist versus the Lightning after coming together to spark the Blackhawks in their Western Conference Final triumph over the Anaheim Ducks.