Joakim Andersson-10-9-14

Red Wings forward Joakim Andersson, battling Boston's Ryan Spooner, feels much better than he did last season.

(The Associated Press)

DETROIT – In order for the Detroit Red Wings to be a harder team to play against, their fourth line must hustle and fluster.

The combination of Luke Glendening, Drew Miller and Joakim Andersson has done just that against two of the biggest teams in the NHL, Boston and Anaheim.

"I think that line has been one of our best lines two games in a row," coach Mike Babcock said.

"They check like crazy, they're gritty. Glenny is a pain in the butt, done a real nice job. Andy can make plays, he's a good passer, he's smart and competes. Millsie is real smart and works hard. All three brought their game and that's what we have to do. You can't play your game part way through. You've got to arrive on time, you've got to compete. I think our team has a chance to be lightning fast and be a pain to play against. That's what we're going to try to build ourselves into."

Babcock liked the way that line competed against Ryan Kesler's line in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Ducks.

"When we started the game (Riley) Sheahan was matching against Kesler and they declined, and then (Darren) Helm went and they declined and then Glenny didn't decline," Babcock said. "Ideally, I would've liked Sheahan to go against (Kesler).

"For this team to win we've got to have 20 competitive guys every night. If we don't, we're going to have a harder time."

The fourth line has been competitive, wearing on opponents. It faces another challenge on Wednesday when the Bruins return to town (8 p.m., NBC Sports Network).

"That's the name of our game on the fourth line," Miller said. "You get out there, try to have as much O-zone time as you can and put pressure on their D."

The more they agitate, the better. Andersson got physical with Corey Perry, Glendening roughed it up with Kesler, but took a penalty in the process.

"I think Glenny was trying to do a little bit more with Kessler," Miller said. "I think that's just the nature of competing hard, wanting the puck and trying to score. You're going to have those one-one-one battles that will escalate at times."

The Red Wings would like their fourth line to chip in a little more offense, so they were glad to see Glendening score. It happened during a line change, so Miller and Andersson weren't on the ice.

"I was (peeved) we weren't on the ice for it," Miller joked. "Told him he needs to do that when we're on the ice with him."

Miller, the club's top penalty-killing forward, and Glendening, who draws regular praise from Babcock, were pretty much assured of fourth-line roles. Andersson, who lost his job to Glendening late last season, had to earn a spot. He did that was a good training camp and preseason.

"I've got my legs back, which is a huge thing for me so I can skate again," Andersson said.

Andersson was sick most of last season. He started feeling ill in late November and still isn't sure what caused it.

"It was a virus that goes on your lungs, your pipes," Andersson said. "You don't have energy. It was hard to breathe. And when you can't breathe you get tired quick.

"I'm still on medication, but the virus is out of my body. It's night and day how I feel from the second half of last season."

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