Big game, big effort for Big Buff

Of all the big games Dustin Byfuglien has produced since the start of the playoffs, none were bigger than what he did Sunday in Game 5 against the Flyers.

In what was the most important game played by the franchise since Game 7 of the 1971 Stanley Cup Finals, Byfuglien delivered 2 goals, 2 assists and 9 hits in the 7-4 win at the United Center that left the Hawks 1 win from the Stanley Cup.

"I think last night was the biggest influence in the game he's had throughout the playoffs," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said Monday. "He was a big factor."

Byfuglien's physical play was difference-making. If you didn't see his crunching hit on Chris Pronger in the corner that leveled the 6-foot-6 Flyers defenseman, turn on the NHL Network and you will.

"When he plays like that and competes he can be real effective," teammate Duncan Keith said. "He's a huge part of the team, especially when he's doing that. He's a leader like that; he's physical and it gives us a lot of momentum on home ice when he gets the crowd into it.

"Not only that, it gets to their defensemen. I wouldn't want to play against him either, a big guy coming at you hard and you know what he's trying to do."

The line of Dave Bolland, Kris Versteeg and Byfuglien was the Hawks' best. Bolland and Versteeg also scored goals, with Versteeg adding 2 assists.

Bolland has 7 goals in the playoffs and Versteeg 6. Byfuglien has 10.

Byfuglien's power-play goal in the second period held up as the game-winner, which was his fifth of the playoffs.

"I thought Buff, his playoffs, have been special a lot of nights," Quenneville said. "The first two games in the series maybe he didn't have much production, but I still thought he was effective in ways of using his body and his size.

"Maybe (he wasn't) as busy as we would have liked him in Philly, but he rebounded with a big effort."

Hawks center Patrick Sharp said he could see the fire in Byfuglien's eyes before the game.

"I just knew I had to come in and work hard and do the job as best I can to help the team," Byfuglien said.

If Pronger had been getting the best of Byfuglien in their battles in the first four games of the series, that changed Sunday night. Pronger was minus-5, on the ice for 6 of the Hawks' goals and in the penalty box for the seventh.

"I don't think he's been winning any big battles," Byfuglien said. "The guy does what he does. You can't ever stop. You have to keep working. The harder you work the more you're going to get in and pressure him. He's going to have a hard time, too."

If Quenneville took any satisfaction with his line juggling getting both Byfuglien and Patrick Kane away from the constant matchup with Pronger, he wasn't letting on Monday.

"I think I'm concerned with what we had to do," Quenneville said. "I like the balance in our lines. I like the speed of our lines. I like the consistency of the rotation - it gives us more options and different looks.

"I think guys usually seem to get a jolt or some energy after forming new lines or getting to play with different guys. I just thought they worked well."