The fourth line of the Blackhawks is doing very well through the 2024-25 season and contributing in more ways than one.

The Chicago Blackhawks seem to have found a fourth line that is working at the right time. This line now consists of Craig Smith, Pat Maroon, and Lukas Reichel.

There have been a few different combinations on the fourth line while Luke Richardson tries to find chemistry and see what works the best. He said, "I wasn't sure in the beginning, but (Reichel) has played great. I think there's been two, three games in a row right now where he's really moving his feet. Competitive and I like how he's playing."

Reichel in particular has been tried in multiple different roles in the NHL since the start of last season. With all of the veterans on the team right now, he seems to be fitting in well with less pressure on the fourth line as the 22-year-old has six points in nine games.

Richardson continued, "Whether it's two older guys helping him verbally or two bigger guys who are intense...I think they just have the puck a lot. They're smart players playing together and realize who each other is, and they're playing off each other well. I think they're enjoying it...so we'll just try to keep that rolling."

A fourth line that can control the play is very valuable and the three have a combined five goals and 15 points so far this season (not all playing together).

Richardson has praised the play of both Smith and Maroon and they've shown up and done what was expected of them and what is needed of them. On top of that, their leadership and experience is great to have around the room and on the ice, especially for a younger and inexperienced player trying to improve like Reichel.

This fourth line may not stay together for a lengthy amount of time though as there appears to be a plan in place. Richardson noted that "Everything comes to an end. Sometimes it's them helping someone else because there's an injury or something has gone stale. Maybe we can spread that around a little bit because (Smith and Maroon) are playing so well."

There have been some other players struggling to find their place on the Blackhawks and the veterans on the fourth line seem to be the most stable thing at forward to be able to get others back on track. This means Reichel could get another opportunity higher up in the lineup in the coming weeks and someone else be moved into that fourth line.

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