Blackhawks rolling lines now seemingly made for each other

ANAHEIM, Calif. Patrick Kane was calling for the puck before it even reached Kris Versteeg. First, Brad Richards had to advance it with a one-handed bank pass off the end boards and once Versteeg had it, the winger sent it Kane's way with a no-look, behind-the-back, between-his-skates touch pass right on the tape.

Kane buried the one-timer from the slot for the highlight-reel goal that helped propel the Hawks to a 4-1 victory over the Ducks on Friday at the Honda Center.

"An amazing play," said Kane, who later added an empty-net goal. "I was just yelling because I knew how open I was. I didn't know if on his angle (Versteeg) would be able to get it to me. It was a great play to be able to slither through the guy, get the puck and tap it out front. Great play by Richards, too, to keep it alive."

Led by the line of Kane, Versteeg and Richards, the Hawks improved to 4-1-0 on their circus trip with a final stop in Los Angeles to face the Kings on Saturday night. The trio combined for six points and provided more than enough offense for goaltender Corey Crawford, who earned the victory in his 13th consecutive start.

With the top line of Jonathan Toews centering for wingers Marian Hossa and Brandon Saad among the most effective in hockey, the high-level of production from the second line makes the Hawks that much more dangerous.

It took awhile, but Richards and Kane have developed the kind of chemistry the Hawks hoped would occur when they signed the 34-year-old center to a free-agent contract during the summer. Add in a resurgentand healthyVersteeg displaying the speed he possessed early in his career and the line is a threat.

"It has been good since we started playing together the last five or six games," said Richards, who had a goal and an assist to record his second multi-point game of the season. " But we can still learn a lot from each other and keep moving the puck around."

Added Kane: "We've played with one another for a little while so sometimes you develop that chemistry and learn a little bit more about how both your linemates play. There are certain things we're talking about and trying to do on the ice to create some chances and have puck possession too."

As Versteeg's brilliant pass to Kane showed, the chemistry between the two in particular is flowing.

"Me and 'Kaner,' going back to when we were kids we've always had some good chemistry," Versteeg said. "Kane plays well with pretty much everyone. With myself, I try to read off him and likewise he tries to read off me."

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Blackhawks rolling lines now seemingly made for each other