CHICAGO — Claude Julien is the only NHL coach that Milan Lucic has played for during his time in the league, and the big Boston Bruins forward swears by him.

Duncan Keith says what you see is what you get when it comes to Joel Quenneville, and the coach’s steady hand is a big reason for the success of the Chicago Blackhawks.

While the Bruins and Blackhawks compete on the ice, two former NHL defensemen are trying to become the 14th coach with at least two Stanley Cup titles. And the players all seem confident in their bench boss.

“They’ve got a role to play, just like we do as players,” Chicago forward Patrick Sharp said Friday. “Ultimately it’s going to be decided on the ice, but our coaching staff, the Bruins as well, they have a lot to say with what goes on.”

They’ve already had an impact. And the next move, along with the response from the other side, could be a deciding factor in who wins this tight series between two of the NHL’s most beloved franchises.

The Blackhawks’ 6-5 overtime victory in Boston on Wednesday made it a split of the first four games. The series resumes on Saturday night in Chicago, with the rest of league’s coaching fraternity enjoying the chess match between two of its most accomplished members.

“Both are veteran coaches who understand management of people, accountability, and playing the players who are playing the best,” said Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, who lost to Quenneville’s Blackhawks in the Western Conference semifinals.

Chicago appeared to be in trouble heading into Game 4 against Boston. The Bruins controlled the last part of a 2-1 overtime victory in Game 2, stealing home-ice advantage, and shut down the Blackhawks in a 2-0 victory Monday night that put Boston up 2-1 in the finals.

Looking for an offensive spark, Quenneville put captain Jonathan Toews back on the same line with Patrick Kane ahead of Game 4. Toews responded with his second goal of the playoffs, and Kane had a goal and an assist.