BLOG: Third Line Building Off Instant Chemistry

It's no secret that after the trade deadline, things looked a lot different on the ice for the Blackhawks. With that comes a tough task of building chemistry and finding confidence for new and older players.
The offensive pairing of Joey Anderson, Boris Katchouk, and Jujhar Khaira has seemed to find their stride as of late, with the three combining for seven points in the last two games.
"We've had more chances and been able to find a way to put them in [the net] when we get them," Anderson said. "As a line, I feel like we've been more connected, and we're all kind of on the same page where the pucks are going. And that's led to us being able to sustain offensive zone time, and create more chances for for ourselves."

While Katchouk has been a Blackhawk longer than Anderson, he was not putting up the strong offensive numbers until the new line was formed. He currently has five points in his last four games, reflecting the opportunity he was given after the trade deadline.
Since the three have been put together, Katchouk described the instant chemsitry that they have been able to build off of that helps their game.
"The instant chemistry is kind of crazy with [us]," he said of the group. "I'm definitely getting a lot more opportunity now. [When Richardson] asked me to step up, and I obviously stepped up, and I've just been doing the right things and playing the right way."
Head coach Luke Richardson echoed the same sentiment, saying the trio has been working hard to show what they can do on the ice.
With the new gain of confidence, Richardson noted the trio as the most consistent line on the team currently with their offensive and defensive style of play.
"It's all because of [hard] work, they're gaining more confidence with the puck now," Richardson said. "I think the difference between them when they started playing together and now, that they're not just checking the other team now they're checking and getting the puck back and doing something with it. So I think their confidence with making plays and after they get the puck has grown so much, that it's a good example for other lines."