Streaking Hawks coming together

Things appear to be coming together for the Blackhawks, particularly with regard to their forward lines and what Marty Turco is doing in goal.

The top line of Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa and Tomas Kopecky is as dangerous as any in the league two weeks into the season, thanks largely to Hossa's explosive start, while second-line center Patrick Sharp already has 6 goals.

The all-new fourth line of Jake Dowell, Jack Skille and Viktor Stalberg is gaining the confidence of coach Joel Quenneville, and it made a difference in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Vancouver.

Stalberg's goal was the only one in regulation for the Hawks, who ultimately won the game in a shootout.

“It's obviously tougher with less minutes you play out there, but we know our role,” Stalberg said. “We're going to go out there and play hard and we're creating some good chances and creating some energy for us.”

Quenneville pointed out following Wednesday's win how there might not be another fourth line in the league as speedy, especially with the wheels Skille and Stalberg have.

“We're starting to figure it out a little better with each other,” Stalberg said. “We have good speed and I think we can catch defensemen back on their heels if we use it a little bit more.

“I had a little slower start than I expected in training camp, but I'm finding my rhythm a little better out there and starting to figure out how guys play and where to be when certain guys have the puck.”

Now is the time of the season when teams begin to separate themselves in the points race.

“The first couple games we didn't play the way we wanted to and to be honest I don't think we've seen all we've got here either,” Stalberg said.

The Hawks have won four games in a row all with Turco in goal and shoot for their fifth straight Friday night in St. Louis.

“We're kind of streaking,” Turco said. “Sometimes it's hard to make adjustments, keep changing and trying to grow as a team, but when you're winning it makes it a little bit easier.”

Turco made 36 saves in the victory over Vancouver, which followed his 32-save performance in Monday's win over the Blues. Turco has stopped 136 of 144 shots in the Hawks' four-game winning streak.

“You can definitely see how bad he wants to win,” teammate Patrick Kane said. “He works hard in practice, and it's good for a younger guys like myself to see a guy who's been around that long work so hard in practice.

“I know he didn't have the start he wanted, but it's good to see things going well now.”

Turco was beaten twice in Wednesday's shootout, but on Vancouver's third try with the win on the line he forced Mikael Samuelsson to go wide left to a tougher angle and miss the net.

“My M.O. is nothing technical, kind of a little crazy and every which way,” Turco said. “You get a piece of them and sometimes make them think they have it, whatever it takes really.

“It's just a battle and you give them a little nudge and I wasn't sure what happened, so it was good to hear the crowd cheer there for me.”