Chris Pronger has been the best player in the series so far.

BY MARK SPECTOR
sportsnet.ca

CHICAGO -- The story on this Blackhawks club is its battle level -- or lack thereof. It needs to get higher, and fast, because the Philadelphia Flyers look like the team that wants this Stanley Cup final a little bit more.

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville wouldn't admit as much, but did say his team's game is "not to the level we need to be effective. I think there's another level for us to get to, and I think it starts more in the battle areas and having the puck more."

The players know it for sure. Chicago's compete level had better go up, or the Flyers will win four straight games, the way they did against Boston.

"There were a lot of battles that we lost," said Brent Sopel. "This time of year you can't lose those battles. Going into (Game 5) we have to be stronger in that area."

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Right now, the best player in this series is Philadelphia defenceman Chris Pronger.

"I'm just shocked he's not up there for Defenseman of the Year," said teammate Ian Laperriere. "I saw him game in and game out (this season), and the way he plays and the minutes he plays, it's amazing. He plays 30 minutes and he runs everybody over, and everybody runs into his elbows, I should say.

"But he's amazing. He's one of a kind, and we're lucky to have him on our team."

Pronger has absolutely eliminated Dustin Byfuglien from Chicago's arsenal, and it's no fluke that the Blackhawks' top line has been seeing Pronger all series long and hasn't accomplished anything. That has Quenneville thinking of continuing with some line changes that he instituted after 40 minutes in Game 4 -- mainly breaking up Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.

"Whether it's Buff against Pronger, whoever is against Pronger, I think that's something we'll see if (we can change)," Quenneville said. "We have to be more physical and we have to be harder on him and make it tougher."

Pronger has to know he's winning the battle if the other guys are changing up their lines at this point in the series.

"I guess it could go two ways," Pronger said. "One, they haven't played together that much. So maybe they're a little out of whack. Or, it sparks them -- fresh linemates and a new look -- that gives them a little bit more offence with the puck. We'll see."

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Speaking of Pronger, he has been a contrarian with the media all series long. This was his latest work on the podium, when he was asked on Saturday, "They split Toews and Kane in the third period when they started to make their push. Did you think it was effective by having them split?"

Pronger -- "Well, it really wasn't working until they got a 5-on-3. Your observation probably is moot, at best."

Question -- "It's not mine."

Pronger -- "You just made it."

Question -- "Quenneville said it."

Pronger -- "There you go. I guess Joel is wrong too."

Question -- "So you didn't think it was effective at all?"

Pronger -- "I didn't say that. You did."