Steady as she goes with Captain Quenneville at the wheel

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Maybe the best thing the Blackhawks have in their favor approaching the playoffs is Joel Quenneville behind the bench.

Quenneville has been the steadying influence through the Hawks' recent slide, keeping the atmosphere around the team positive in the face of a negative stretch of games.

Quenneville has worked to find the right combinations up and down the lineup for the playoffs, particularly on defense where neither Brian Campbell nor Kim Johnsson is expected back anytime soon.

The best decision Quenneville has made since before the Olympic break was to go forward with Antti Niemi as his No. 1 goaltender, although Cristobal Huet helped make that decision for the coach with his inconsistent play.

Coming back with Niemi on Wednesday night against the Wild when Quenneville could have given Huet one more chance to figure in the mix broadcast loud and clear to the hockey world that it's Niemi's net for the playoffs.

"He's playing well and it's nice to show him some confidence as well," Quenneville said after Niemi blanked the Wild 4-0 for his seventh shutout of the season.

A lot of the right buttons Quenneville pushed against the Wild will be tested again tonight when the Hawks play the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center.

Moving Dustin Byfuglien back to the blue line and pairing him with Duncan Keith worked well and helped put the defense back in order, at least for one night.

As much as Quenneville would love to keep Keith and Brent Seabrook together, it became necessary to split them up because of the injuries to Campbell and Johnsson.

Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson appear to have a budding chemistry while Brent Sopel and Jordan Hendry now are able to settle back into their role as the third pair.

Up front, having Marian Hossa play with Jonathan Toews has the potential to be special. Along with Patrick Sharp, it's been a dangerous line the last two games.

Quenneville may have hit upon something against the Wild when he put together a line of Dave Bolland, Patrick Kane and Troy Brouwer. That line didn't score, but it was a factor most of the night thanks to Kane.

The fourth line of Colin Fraser, Tomas Kopecky and Ben Eager contributed 3 goals and 3 assists in the win over the Wild and may have earned an extended look.

"Maybe them getting reunited created a little bit of excitement between the three of them," Quenneville said. "It was a special night for them."

Fraser replaced Adam Burish, who might have a tough time getting back in the lineup for the next few games.

The fourth line gave the Hawks a huge lift in the playoffs last season and the hope is that it can provide the same kind of energy this spring however it's comprised.

"Your confidence is always pumped up with you have a good game," said Kopecky, who had 2 goals on Wednesday. "Actually, I should have had more. I missed the empty net a couple times."

<p class="factboxheadblack">Blackhawks game day</p>

<p class="News">New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center, 6 p.m.</p>

<p class="News"><b>TV:</b> Comcast SportsNet</p>

<p class="News"><b>Radio:</b> WGN 720-AM</p>

<p class="News"><b>What to watch:</b> The Devils are scuffling as well with coach Jacques Lemaire calling a team meeting Wednesday after a second straight loss. New Jersey is in a neck-and-neck battle with Pittsburgh for first place in the Atlantic Division. Zach Parise has a sore foot but should play.</p>

<p class="News"><b>Season series:</b> Hawks lead 1-0</p>

<p class="News"><b>Next:</b> Calgary Flames at the United Center, 2 p.m. Sunday</p>

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<li><a href="/story/?id=370284">Loss helps Hawks turn tide<span class="date"> [4/2/10]</span></a></li>

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