"Coach Bruce Boudreau tossed another line combination into the mix Saturday, putting Brooks Laich at center between Jason Chimera and Joel Ward in what could possibly be a solid option for a third line.

Both Boudreau and Laich downplayed the significance of the move, but that said the benefits and potential upside of that particular unit are readily apparent.

"When you tweak it and look at it you think, 'They'd be a pretty good line that might be able to score some goals' and at the same time they can all skate," Boudreau said. "They're big, they're strong. They should be able to check other team's top lines. They're responsible.""