Blackhawks Line Combinations Expected to Keep Evolving

CHICAGO -- A more aggressive Chicago Blackhawks team with some altered lines is set to make a reappearance.

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville told reporters before Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final at United Center on Sunday that he will continue to toy with his lines in an attempt to get out of a two-game slide.

"We changed the lines last game going into the game," Quenneville said. "Everybody had a little bit of a different look than in Game 3. Coming out of the game, we kind of changed them again. So we'll look at going into the game, maybe tweaking them a little bit."

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The Patrick Kane-Jonathan-Toews-Dustin Byfuglien line, a line that scored almost at will through the first three rounds, has sputtered. Ben Eager replaced Byfuglien at times in Game 4 and the new trio combined on a third-period goal.

Kane's goal on Wednesday was his first of the series, while Toews and Byfuglien are still seeking their first goals. Not a good sign, especially since 29 goals have been scored by both teams to make this the highest scoring final since 1981 through four games.

Toews, however, remains atop the playoff scoring list with 27 points.

Beyond the lines, Quenneville also juggled the lineup. He inserted Andrew Ladd, who had missed the first three games of the series with an undisclosed injury, and defenseman Nick Boynton, a surprising move since he hadn't played in a postseason game.

"We didn't change the lineup or the lines based on winning and how we're playing," Quenneville said. "I think the last couple of games we've always gone along here maybe making some adjustments based on how we're playing or what we like and what we don't like."

Ladd and defenseman Duncan Keith didn't skate Sunday morning, but Quenneville said he was just giving each some time off and they would both be in the lineup.