With Fraser, Eager and Kopecky, Hawks' 4th line paying dividends

One of the many strengths of the Blackhawks is they are a true four-line team.

Ever since Joel Quenneville took over as coach early last season he hasn't hesitated to roll four lines and has had great success doing it.

After some struggles this season largely due to injuries, the Hawks' fourth line of Colin Fraser, Ben Eager and Tomas Kopecky has finally got on a roll the last several weeks and is making a difference in games much like last year when Fraser, Eager and Adam Burish provided grit and energy night after night.

In the last six games Fraser, Eager and Kopecky have combined for 5 goals and 10 assists and were difference makers again in Thursday's 5-2 win at Boston when Kopecky scored a goal and Fraser and Eager each chipped in 2 assists.

"They're contributing offensively and they have more energy in their game and puck possession as well," Quenneville said.

After playing key roles in the Hawks' two playoff series wins last spring, the chemistry of the fourth line was disrupted in the second game of the preseason when Burish torn the ACL in a knee in a game at Minnesota and needed surgery and at least five months of rehab.

Then Eager went out of the lineup after two games with a concussion and wound up sitting for 13 games.

Meanwhile, Kopecky was having trouble adjusting to a new system after coming over from the Red Wings as a free agent.

But lately it has all come together for the fourth line and they have earned Quenneville's trust again as a group.

"The first 40 games we thought we were playing well, but we weren't getting the results," Fraser said. "We've finally found some chemistry and we're getting results. We knew we could be better."

The goal scoring is a bonus from the fourth line.

"It's always fun to score goals, but that's not our No. 1 role," Fraser said. "We want to chip in where we can. Our role is to create energy and play in the other zone."

Quenneville's early tinkering with his lines has paid off of late. After so much mixing and matching, Quenneville seems to have discovered the right combinations.

Troy Brouwer, with his valuable dirty work in the corners and in front of the net, has become a perfect complement to Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane on the first line.

"He's a big part of our line," Toews said.

"Brouwer has been great for us with some of the screens he's been setting," Kane said.

The second line of Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa and Andrew Ladd has been more dangerous since they got together as a group and talked about what they needed to do to be more productive.

"We're getting there," Hossa said.

"Sharp, still playing out of position at center until Dave Bolland returns from back surgery, has been more effective getting the puck to Hossa in the spots goal scorers find.

The third line of John Madden. Kris Versteeg and Dustin Byfuglien has scored some big goals in the last week, meshing their contrasting styles into an effective unit.

"Everybody is contributing and going strong," Duncan Keith said.

Hawks @ Minnesota WildTime: 7 p.m. SaturdayTV: Comcast SportsNetRadio: WGN 720-AM.What to watch: The Wild ended a four-game losing streak with Wednesday's 4-1 win over Calgary. The Hawks are looking for their sixth straight victory and have scored 4 or more goals in their last eight games. Patrick Kane has a 10-game points scoring streak. Cristobal Huet is expected to start in goal looking for his third win over Minnesota.Season series: Hawks led 2-0 and have outscored the Wild 7-2.Next: Anaheim Ducks at the United Center, 6 p.m. Sunday.False20001760Minnesota Wild center Mikko Koivu, left, is upended by Chicago Blackhawks center Colin Fraser during the first period of their NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 5.Associated PressFalse