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NHL Team Line Combinations

Any NHL player can be evaluated in a vacuum, both with traditional stats like goals, assists and plus/minus and with more modern metrics like Corsi, Fenwick, PDO and others. Those statistics can give you a pretty accurate idea of a player’s value, both in real life and in fantasy, especially over the course of an entire season. However, to truly capture a player’s impact on a given game, it’s necessary to understand where that player fits in within his team’s structure and game plan. In other words, you need to understand on what lines that player is being deployed. Line combinations are crucial to properly valuing players, and this is especially true for daily fantasy.

Anaheim Ducks

Forwards

LW: Adam Henrique (#14), Danton Heinen (#43), Maxime Comtois (#53), Nicoloas Deslauriers (#20)

C: Ryan Getzlaf (#15), Sam Steel (#23), Isac Lundestrom (#48), Derek Grant (#38)

RW: Troy Terry (#61), Jakob Silfverberg (#33), Rickard Rakell (#67), Carter Rowney (#24)

Defensemen

L1: Hampus Lindholm (#47), Kevin Shattenkirk (#22)

L2: Cam Fowler (#4), Jani Hakanpaa (#28)

L3: Ben Hutton (#), Jacob Larsson (#29)

Power Play

Unit 1: Rickard Rakell (#67), Adam Henrique (#14), Jakob Silfverberg (#33), Ryan Getzlaf (#15), Kevin Shattenkirk (#22)

Unit 2: Maxime Comtois (#53), Isac Lundestrom (#48), danton Heinen (#43), Troy Terry (#61), Cam Fowler (#4)

Arizona Coyotes

Forwards

LW: Clayton Keller (#9), Lawson Crouse (#67), Dryden Hunt (#28), Christian Fischer (#36)

C: Nick Schmaltz (#8), Christian Dvorak (#18), Derick Brassard (#16), Barrett Hayton (#29)

RW: Conor Garland (#83), Tyler Pitlick (#17), Phil Kessel (#81), John Hayden (#15)

Defensemen

L1: Jakob Chychrun (#6), Alex Goligoski (#33)

L2: Oliver Ekman-Larsson (#23), Jason Demers (#55)

L3: Jordan Oesterle (#82) , Ilya Lyubushkin (#46)

Power Play

Unit 1: Christian Dvorak (#18), Nick Schmaltz (#8), Clayton Keller (#9), Jakob Chychrun (#6), Conor Garland (#83)

Unit 2: Tyler Pitlick (#17), Barrett Hayton (#29), Derick Brassard (#16), Oliver Ekman-Larsson (#23), Phil Kessel (#81)

Boston Bruins

Forwards

LW: Brad Marchand (#63), Nick Ritchie (#21), Anders Bjork (#10), Trent Frederic (#82)

C: Patrice Bergeron (#37), David Krejci (#46), Charlie Coyle (#13), Sean Kuraly (#52)

RW: Jake Bebrusk (#74), David Pastrnak (#88), Craig Smith (#12) Chris Wagner (#14)

Defensemen

L1: Jeremy Lauzon (#55), Charlie McAvoy (#73)

L2: John Moore (#27), Brandon Carlo (#25)

L3: Jakub Zboril (#67), Kevan Miller (#86)

Power Play

Unit 1: Brad Marchand (#63), Patrice Bergeron (#37), David Pastrnak (#88), Nick Ritchie (#88), Charlie Mcavoy (#73)

Unit 2: Jake Debrusk (#74), Charlie Coyle (#13), Craig Smith (#12), John Moore (#27), David Krejci (#46)

Buffalo Sabres

Forwards

LW: Jeff Skinner (#53), Taylor Hall (#4), Tobias Rieder (#13), Rasmus Asplund (#74)

C: Jack Eichel (#9), Eric Staal (#12), Cody Eakin (#20), Riley Sheahan (#38)

RW: Victor Olofsson (#68), Sam Reinhart (#23), Kyle Okposo (#21), Tage Thompson (#72)

Defensemen

L1: Rasmus Dahlin (#26), Colin Miller (#33)

L2: Matt Irwin (#44), Henri Jokiharju (#10)

L3: Jake Mccabe (#19), William Borgen (#33)

Power Play

Unit 1: Sam Reinhart (#23), Jack Eichel (#9), Taylor Hall (#4), Rasmus Dahlin (#26), Victor Olofsson (#68)

Unit 2: Kyle Okposo (#21), Eric Staal (#12), Jeff Skinner (#53), Tage Thompson (#72), Colin Miller (#33)

Calgary Flames

Forwards

LW: Andrew Mangiapane (#88), Johnny Gaudreau (#12), Milan Lucic (#17), Joakim Nordstrom (#20)

C: Elias Lindholm (#28), Sean Monahan (#23), Mikael Backlund (#11), Byron Froese (#)

RW: Matthew Tkachuk (#19), Dominik Simon (#18), Dillon Dube (#29), Sam Bennett (#93)

Defensemen

L1: Noah Hanifin (#55), Chris Tanev (#8)

L2: Mark Giordano (#5), Juuso Valimaki (#6)

L3: Nikita Nesterov (#89), Rasmus Andersson (#4)

Power Play

Unit 1: Elias Lindholm (#28), Sean Monahan (#23), Johnny Gaudreau (#13), Juuso Valimaki (#6), Matthew Tkachuk(#19)

Unit 2: Milan Lucic (#17), Mikeal Backlund (#11), Andrew Mangiapane (#88), Mark Giordano (#5), Dillon Dube (#29)

Carolina Hurricanes

Forwards

LW: Andrei Svechnikov (#37), Nino Niederreiter (#21), Warren Foegele (#13), Cedric Paquette (#)

C: Sebastian Aho (#20), Vincent Trocheck (#16), Jordan Staal (#11), Steven Lorentz (#)

RW: Brock McGinn (#23), Martin Necas (#88), Jesper Fast (#71), Jordan Martinook (#48)

Defensemen

L1: Dougie Hamilton (#19), Jaccob Slavin (#74)

L2: Brady Skjei (#76), Brett Pesce (#22)

L3: Hayden Fleury (#4), Jake Bean (#)

Power Play

Unit 1: Jordan Staal (#11), Sebastian Aho (#20), Vincent Trocheck (#16), Dougie Hamilton (#19), Andrei Svechnikov (#37)

Unit 2: Jesper Fast (#71), Nino Niederreiter (#21), Martin Necas (#88), Jaccob Slavin (#74), Jake Bean (#)

Columbus Blue Jackets

Forwards

LW: Patrik Laine (#29), Boone Jenner (#38), Mikhail Grigorenko (#25), Eric Robinson (#50)

C: Jack Roslovic (#96), Alexandre Texier (#42), Kevin Stenlund (#11), Riley Nash (#20)

RW: Cam Atkinson (#13), Nick Foligno (#71), Oliver Bjorkstrand (#28), Max Domi (#16)

Defensemen

L1: Vladislav Gavrikov (#44), Seth Jones (#3)

L2: Michael Del Zotto (#15), Andrew Peeke (#2)

L3: Scott Harrington (#4), Gabriel Carlsson (#53)

Power Play

Unit 1: Nick Foligno (#71), Jack Roslovic (#96), Max Domi (#16), Patrick Laine (#29), Seth Jones (#3)

Unit 2: Boone Jenner (#38), Kevin Stenlund (#11), Oliver Björkstrand (#28), Cam Atkinson (#13), Michael Del Zotto (#15)

Chicago Blackhawks

Forwards

LW: Alex Debincat (#12), Brandon Hagel (#38), Dylan Strome (#17), Philipp Kurashev (#23)

C: Pius Suter (#24), Lucas Wallmark (#71), Carl Soderberg (#34), David Kampf (#64)

RW: Patrick Kane (#88), Dominik Kubalik (#8), Mattias Janmark (#13), Ryan Carpenter (#22)

Defensemen

L1: Duncan Keith (#2), Ian Mitchell (#51)

L2: Calvin De Haan (#44), Adam Boqvist (#27)

L3: Connor Murphy (#5), Nikita Zadorov (#16)

Power Play

Unit 1: Ryan Carpenter (#22), Dylan Strome(#17), Patrick Kane (#88), Alex Debrincat (#12), Adam Boqvist (#27)

Unit 2: Mattias Janmark (#13), Pius Suter (#24), Dominik Kubalik (#8), Duncan Keith (#2), Philipp Kurashev (#23)

Colorado Avalanche

Forwards

LW: Andre Burakovsky (#95), Brandon Saad (#20), Gabriel Landeskog (#92), Valeri Nichushkin (#13)

C: Nathan Mackinnon (#29), Nazem Kadri (#91), Tyson Jost (#17), Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (#41)

RW: Mikko Rantanen (#96), Joonas Donskoi (#72), JT Compher (#37), Matt Calvert (#11)

Defensemen

L1: Devon Toews (#7), Cale Makar (#8)

L2: Ryan Graves (#27), Samuel Girard (#49)

L3: Bowen Byram (#4), Conor Timmins (#22)

Power Play

Unit 1: Gabriel Landeskog (#92), Nazem Kadri (#91), Mikko Rantanen (#96), Nathan Mackinnon (#29), Cale Makar (#8)

Unit 2: Brandon Saad (#20), JT Compher (#37), Andre Burakovsky (#95), Devon Toews (#7), Samuel Girard (#49)

Dallas Stars

Forwards

LW: Jamie Benn (#14), Tanner Kero (#64), Jason Robertson (#21), Andrew Cogliano (#11)

C: Radek Faksa (#12), Joe Pavelski (#16), Roope Hintz (#24), Jason Dickenson (#18)

RW: Ty Dellandrea (#10), Joel Kiviranta (#25), Denis Gurianov (#34), Blake Comeau (#15)

Defensemen

L1: Esa Lindell (#23), John Klingberg (#3)

L2: Jamie Oleksiak (#2), Miro Heiskanen (#4)

L3: Andrej Sekera (#5), Mark Pysyk (#13)

Power Play

Unit 1: Joe Pavelski (#16), Roope Hintz (#24), Jamie Benn (#14), John Klingberg (#3), Denis Gurianov (#34)

Unit 2: Jason Robertson (#21), Radek Faksa (#12), Ty Dellandrea (#10), Miro Heiskanen (#4), Joel Kiviranta (#25)

Detroit Red Wings

Forwards

LW: Anthony Mantha (#39), Bobby Ryan (#54), Valtteri Filppula (#51), Mathias Brome (#86)

C: Dyland Larkin (#71), Robby Fabbri (#14), Vladislav Namestnikov (#92), Luke Glendening (#41)

RW: Darren Helm (#43), Filip Zadina (#11), Sam Gagner (#89), Adam Erne (#73)

Defensemen

L1: Dan Dekeyser (#65), Filip Hronek (#17)

L2: Marc Staal (#18), Jon Merrill (#24)

L3: Patrik Nemeth (#22), Christian Djoos (#44)

Power Play

Unit 1: Dylan Larkin (#71), Mathias Brome (#86), Bobby Ryan (#54), Christian Djoos (#44), Anthony Mantha (#39)

Unit 2: Adam Erne (#73), Valtteri Filppula (#51), Robby Fabbri (#14), Filip Hronek (#17), Filip Zadina (#11)

Edmonton Oilers

Forwards

LW: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (#93), Dominik Kahun (#21), Tyler Ennis (#63), Joakim Nygard (#10)

C: Connor McDavid(#97), Leon Draisaitl (#29), Jujhar Khaira (#16), Gaetan Haas (#91)

RW: Jesse Puljujarvi (#13), Kailer Yamamoto (#56), Josh Archibald (#15), Alex Chiasson (#39)

Defensemen

L1: Darnell Nurse (#25), Tyson Barrie (#22)

L2: Kris Russell (#4), Adam Larsson (#6)

L3: William Lagesson (#84), Ethan Bear (#74)

Power Play

Unit 1: Alex Chiasson (#39), Connor McDavid (#97), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (#93), Tyson Barrie (#22), Leon Draisaitl (#29)

Unit 2: Jesse Puljujarvi (#13), Gaetan Haas (#91), Dominik Kahun (#21), Darnell Nurse (#25), Ethan Bear (#74)

Florida Panthers

Forwards

LW: Carter Verhaeghe (#11), Jonathan Huberdeau (#10), Frank Vatrano (#77), Ryan Lomberg (#79)

C: Aleksander Barkov (#16), Alexander Wennberg (#16), Eetu Luostarinen (#14), Juho Lammikko (#9)

RW: Anthony Duclair (#63), Patric Hornqvist (#55), Brett Connolly (#68), Vinnie Hinostroza (#7)

Defensemen

L1: MacKenzie Weegar (#52), Aaron Ekblad (#5)

L2: Gustav Forsling (#42), Anton Stralman (#6)

L3: Keith Yandle (#3), Radko Gudas (#7)

Power Play

Unit 1: Patric Hornqvist (#70), Aleksander Barkov (#16), Jonathan Huberdeau (#11), Aaron Ekblad (#5), Keith Yandle (#3)

Unit 2: Carter Verhaeghe (#23), Alexander Wennberg (#21), Anthony Duclair (#91), Aaron Ekblad (#6), Frank Vatrano (#77)

Los Angeles Kings

Forwards

LW: Alex Iafallo (#19), Adrian Kempe (#9), Carl Grundstrom (#38), Andreas Athanasiou (#22)

C: Anze Kopitar (#11), Gabriel Vilardi (#42), Blake Lizotte (#46), Mike Amadio (#10)

RW: Dustin Brown (#23), Jeff Carter (#77), Trevor Moore (#12), Austin Wagner (#27)

Defensemen

L1: Mikey Anderson (#44), Drew Doughty (#8)

L2: Tobias Bjornfot (#33), Matt Roy (#3)

L3: Olli Maatta (#6), Sean Walker (#26)

Power Play

Unit 1: Dustin Brown (#23), Adrian Kempe (#9), Alex Iafallo (#19), Drew Doughty (#8), Anze Kopitar (#11)

Unit 2: Andreas Athanasiou (#22), Gabriel Vilardi (#42), Jeff Carter (#77), Tobias Bjornfot (#33), Matt Roy (#3)

Minnesota Wild

Forwards

LW: Jordan Greenway (#18), Kirill Kaprizov (#97), Zach Parise (#11), Nico Sturm (#7)

C: Joel Eriksson Ek (#14), Victor Rask (#49), Ryan Hartman (#38), Nick Bonino (#13)

RW: Kevin Fiala (#22), Mats Zuccarello (#36), Marcus Foligno (#17), Nick Bjugstad (#27)

Defensemen

L1: Ryan Suter (#20), Jared Spurgeon (#46)

L2: Jonas Brodin (#25), Mathew Dumba (#24)

L3: Carson Soucy (#21), Ian Cole (#28)

Power Play

Unit 1: Mats Zuccarello (#36), Joel Eriksson Ek (#14), Kirill Kaprizov (#97), Ryan Suter (#20), Kevin Fiala (#22)

Unit 2: Jordan Greenway (#18), Victor Rask (#49), Zach Parise (#11), Mathew Dumba (#24), Jared Spurgeon (#46)

Montreal Canadiens

Forwards

LW: Tomas Tatar (#90), Jonathan Drouin (#92), Artturi Lehkonen (#62), Paul Byron (#41)

C: Phillip Danault (#24), Nick Suzuki (#14), Jesperi Kotkaniemi (#15), Jake Evans (#71)

RW: Brendan Gallagher (#11), Tyler Toffoli (#73), Joel Armia (#40), Corey Perry (#94)

Defensemen

L1: Ben Chiarot (#8), Shea Weber (#6)

L2: Joel Edmundson (#44), Jeff Petry (#26)

L3: Brett Kulak (#77), Alexander Romanov (#27)

Power Play

Unit 1: Jeff Petry (#40), Tyler Toffoli (#73), Nick Suzuki (#14), Shea Weber (#6), Jonathan Drouin (#92)

Unit 2: Corey Perry (#94), Brendan Gallagher (#11), Tomas Tatar (#90), Jesperi Kotkaniemi (#15), Jeff Petry(#26)

New Jersey Devils

Forwards

LW: Andreas Johnsson (#11), Jesper Bratt (#63), Miles Wood (#44), Mikhail Maltsev (#23)

C: Jack Hughes (#86), Pavel Zacha (#37), Travis Zajac (#19), Michael McLeod (#20)

RW: Kyle Palmieri (#21), NIkia Gusev (#97), Yegor Sharangovich (#38), Nathan Bastian (#14)

Defensemen

L1: TY Smith (#24), Damon Severson (#28)

L2: Dmitry Kulikov (#70), P.K. Subban (#76)

L3: Will Butcher (#8), Sami Vatanen (#45)

Power Play

Unit 1: Pavel Zacha (#37), Jack Hughes (#86), Jesper Bratt (#63), P.K. Subban (#76), Kyle Palmieri (#21)

Unit 2: Andreas Johnsson (#11), Miles Wood (#44), Nikita Gusev (#97), Ty Smith (#24), Damon Severson (#28)

Nashville Predators

Forwards

LW: Filip Forsberg (#9), Calle Jarnkrok (#19), Nick Cousins (#21), Erik Haula (#56)

C: Mikael Granlund (#64), Matt Duchene (#95), Ryan Johansen (#92), Colton Sissons (#10)

RW: Eeli Tolvanen (#28), Rocco Grimaldi (#23), Viktor Arvidsson (#33), Luke Kunin (#11)

Defensemen

L1: Roman Josi (#59), Ryan Ellis (#4)

L2: Mattias Ekholm (#14), Dante Fabbro (#57)

L3: Patrick Harper (#), Matt Benning (#5)

Power Play

Unit 1: Filip Forsberg (#9), Ryan Johansen (#92), Mikael Granlund (#64), Eeli Tolvanen (#28), Roman Josi (#59)

Unit 2: Nick Cousins (#21), Calle Jarnkrok (#19), Viktor Arvidsson (#33), Ryan Ellis (#4), Matt Duchene (#95)

New York Islanders

Forwards

LW: Anders Lee (#27), Anthony Beauvillier (#18), Michael Dal Colle (#28), Leo Komarov (#47)

C: Mathew Barzal (#13), Brock Nelson (#29), Jean-Gabriel Pageau (#44), Casey Cizikas (#53)

RW: Jordan Eberle (#7), Josh Bailey (#12), Oliver Wahlstrom (#26), Matt Martin (#17)

Defensemen

L1: Adam Pelech (#3), Ryan Pulock (#6)

L2: Nick Leddy (#2), Scott Mayfield (#24)

L3: Andy Greene (#4), Noah Dobson (#8)

Power Play

Unit 1: Anders Lee (#27), Mathew Barzal (#13), Jordan Eberle (#7), Ryan Pulock (#6), Noah Dobson (#8)

Unit 2: Jean-Gabriel Pageau (#44), Brock Nelson (#29), Oliver Wahlstrom (#26), Josh Bailey (#12), Nick Leddy (#2)

New York Rangers

Forwards

LW: Alexis Lafreniere (#13), Chris Kreider (#20), Phil Di Giuseppe (#33), Brendan Lemieux (#48)

C: Mika Zibanejad (#93), Ryan Strome (#16), Brett Howden (#21), Kevin Rooney (#17)

RW: Pavel Buchnevich (#89), Colin Blackwell (#43), Julien Gauthier (#12), JJonny Brodzinski (#)

Defensemen

L1: Ryan Lindgren (#55), Adam Fox (#23)

L2: K'Andre Miller (#79), Brendan Smith (#42)

L3: Jack Johnson (#27), Libor Hajek (#25)

Power Play

Unit 1: Colin Blackwell (#43), Ryan Strome (#16), Chris Kreider (#20), Mika Zibanejad (#93), Adam Fox (#23)

Unit 2: Brendan Lemiux (#48), Alexis Lafreniere (#13), Pavel Buchnevich (#89), K'Andre Miller (#79), Brendan Smith (#42)

Ottawa Senators

Forwards

LW: Rudolfs Balcers (#38), Bobby Ryan (#9), Anthony Duclair (#10), Mikkel Boedker (#89)

C: Chris Tierney (#71), Brady Tkachuk (#7), Nick Paul (#13), Matthew Peca (#53)

RW: Connor Brown (#28), Colin White (#36), Jayce Hawryluk (#79), Scott Sabourin (#49)

Defensemen

L1: Ron Hainsey (#81), Thomas Chabot (#72)

L2: Nikita Zaitsev (#22), Mike Reilly (#5)

L3: Andreas Englund (#39), Christian Wolanin (#86)

Power Play

Unit 1: Anthony Duclair (#10), Colin White (#36), Connor Brown (#28), Brady Tkachuk (#7), Thomas Chabot (#72)

Unit 2: Mikkel Boedker (#89), Chris Tierney (#71), Bobby Ryan (#9), Rudolfs Balcers (#38), Mike Reilly (#5)

Philadelphia Flyers

Forwards

LW: Jakub Voracek (#93), Joel Farabee (#49), Tyler Pitlick (#18), Michael Raffl (#12)

C: Claude Giroux (#28), Kevin Hayes (#13), Derek Grant (#38), Nate Thompson (#44)

RW: Sean Couturier (#14), Travis Konecny (#11), Scott Laughton (#21), Nicolas Aube-Kubel (#62)

Defensemen

L1: Matt Niskanen (#15), Ivan Provorov (#9)

L2: Justin Braun (#61), Travis Sanheim (#6)

L3: Shayne Gostisbehere (#53), Robert Hagg (#8)

Power Play

Unit 1: Jakub Voracek (#93), Claude Giroux (#28), Travis Konecny (#11), Sean Couturier (#14), Ivan Provorov (#9)

Unit 2: Matt Niskanen (#15), Keivin Hayes (#13), Nicolas Aubue-Kubel (#62), Derek Grant (#38), Shayne Gostisbehere (#53)

Pittsburgh Penguins

Forwards

LW: Jason Zucker (#16), Patrick Marleau (#12), Patric Hornqvist (#72), Brandon Tanev (#13)

C: Sidney Crosby (#87), Evgeni Malkin (#71), Jared McCann (#19), Sam Lafferty (#37)

RW: Conor Sheary (#43), Bryan Rust (#17), Evan Rodrigues (#9), Teddy Blueger (#53)

Defensemen

L1: Kris Letang (#58), Brian Dumoulin (#8)

L2: Jusitin Schultz (#4), Jack Johnson (#3)

L3: John Marino (#6), Marcus Pattersson (#28)

Power Play

Unit 1: Jason Zucker (#16), Sidney Crosby (#87), Patric Hornqvist (#72), Justin Schultz (#4), Evgeni Malkin (#71)

Unit 2: Jared McCann (#19), Patrick Marleau (#12), Bryan Rust (#17), Kris Letang (#58), John Marino (#6)

San Jose Sharks

Forwards

LW: Kevin Lebanc (#62), Marcus Sorensen (#20), Stefan Noesen (#11), Antti Suomela (#40)

C: Evander Kane (#9), Joe Thornton (#19), Joel Kellman (#46), Dylan Gambrell (#7)

RW: Noah Gregor (#73), Timo Meier (#28), Melker Karlsson (#68), Lean Bergmann (#45)

Defensemen

L1: Brent Burns (#88), Radim Simek (#51)

L2: Tim Heed (#72), Marc-Edouard Vlasic (#44)

L3: Brandon Davidosn (#21), Nikolai Knyzhov (#71)

Power Play

Unit 1: Marc-Edouard Vlasic (#44), Joel Kellman (#46), Stefan Noesen (#11), Tim Heed (#72), Melker Karlsson (#68)

Unit 2: Joe Thornton (#19), Evander Kane (#9), Kevin Labanc (#62), Brent Burns (#88), Timo Meier (#28)

St. Louis Blues

Forwards

LW: Jaden Schwartz (#17), Sammy Blais (#9), Zach Sanford (#12), Mackenzie MacEachern (#28)

C: Brayden Schenn (#10), Ryan O’Reilly (#90), Robert Thomas (#18), Oskar Sundqvist (#70)

RW: Alexander Steen (#20), David Perron (#57), Jordan Kyrou (#33), Ivan Barbashev (#49)

Defensemen

L1: Justin Faulk (#72), Alex Pietrangelo (#27)

L2: Marco Scandella (#6), Colton Parayko (#55)

L3: Vince Dunn (#29), Robert Bortuzzo (#41)

Power Play

Unit 1: David Perron (#57), Ryan O’Reilly (#90), Jaden Schwartz (#17), Alex Pietrangelo (#27), Brayden Schenn (#10)

Unit 2: Zach Sanford (#12), Tyler Bozak (#21), Robert Thomas (#18), Colton Parayko (#55), Vince Dunn (#29)

Tampa Bay Lightning

Forwards

LW: Alex Kilorn (#17), Ondrej Palat (#18), Pat Maroon (#14), Barclay Goodrow (#19)

C: Anthony Cirelli (#71), Brayden Point (#21), Cedric Paquette (#13), Tyler Johnson (#9)

RW: Blake Coleman (#20), Nikita Kucherov (#86), Yanni Gourde (#37), Carter Verhaeghe (#23)

Defensemen

L1: Kevin Shattenkirk (#22), Mikhail Sergachev (#98)

L2: Erik Cernak (#81), Ryan McDonagh (#27)

L3: Zach Bogosian (#24), Braydon Coburn (#55)

Power Play

Unit 1: Alex Killorn (#17), Tyler Johnson (#9), Nikita Kucherov (#86), Brayden Point (#21), Mikhail Sergachev (#98)

Unit 2: Pat Marron (#14), Anthony Cirelli (#71), Ondrej Palat (#18), Kevin Shattenkirk (#22), Yanni Gourde (#37)

Toronto Maple Leafs

Forwards

LW: Zach Hyman (#11), Ilya Mikheyev (#65), Kasperi Kapanen (#24), Pierre Engvall (#47)

C: Auston Matthews (#34), John Tavares (#91), Alexander Kerfoot (#15), Frederik Gauthier (#33)

RW: Mitchell Marner (#16), William Nylander (#88), Jason Spezza (#19), Kyle Clifford (#73)

Defensemen

L1: Morgan Rielly (#44), Cody Ceci (#83)

L2: Travis Dermott (#23), Justin Holl (#3)

L3: Rasmus Sandin (#38), Tyson Barrie (#94)

Power Play

Unit 1: Tyson Barrie (#94), John Tavares (#91), William Nylander (#88), Mitchell Marner (#16), Auston Matthews (#34)

Unit 2: Kyle Clifford (#73), Jason Spezza (#19), Frederik Gauthier (#33), Justin Holl (#3), Morgan Rielly (#44)

Vancouver Canucks

Forwards

LW: Tyler Toffoli (#73), Tanner Pearson (#70), Tyler Motte (#64), Antoine Roussel (2#6)

C: J.T. Miller (#9), Bo Horvat (#53), Brandon Sutter (#20), Adam Gaudette (#88)

RW: Elias Pattersson (#40), Brock Boeser (#6), Jake Virtanen (#18), Zack MacEwen (#71)

Defensemen

L1: Troy Stecher (#51), Alexander Edler (#23)

L2: Christopher Tanev (#8), Quinn Hughes (#43)

L3: Tyler Myers (#57), Oscar Fantenberg (#5)

Power Play

Unit 1: Tyler Toffoli (#73), Bo Horvat (#53), J.T. Miller (#9), Elias Pattersson (#40), Quinn Hughes (#43)

Unit 2: Tanner Pearson (#70), Adam Gaudette (#88), Jake Virtanen (#18), Brock Boeser (#6), Tyler Myers (#57)

Vegas Golden Knights

Forwards

LW: Reilly Smith (#19), Max Pacioretty (#67), Brandon Pirri (#73), William Carrier (#28)

C: Paul Stastny (#26), William Karlsson (#71), Chandler Stephenson (#20), Tomas Nosek (#92)

RW: Jonathan Marchessault (#81), Nicolas Roy (#10), Nick Cousins (#21), Ryan Reaves (#75)

Defensemen

L1: Alec Martinez (#23), Shea Theodore (#27)

L2: Brayden McNabb (#3), Nate Schmidt #(88)

L3: Zach Whitecloud (#2), Nick Holden (#22)

Power Play

Unit 1: Max Pacioretty (#67), Paul Stastny (#26), William Karlsson (#71), Jonathan Marchessault (#81), Shea Theodore (#27)

Unit 2: Alec Martinez (#23), Nicolas Roy (#10), Reilly Smith (#19), Nick Cousins (#21), Nate Schmidt (#88)

Winnipeg Jets

Forwards

LW: Kyle Connor (#81), Andrew Copp (#9), Nikolaj Ehlers (#27), Mathieu Perreault (#85)

C: Mark Scheifele (#55), Adam Lowry (#17), Cody Eakin (#20), Nicholas Shore (#21)

RW: Blake Wheeler (#26), Jack Roslovic (#28), Patrik Laine (#29), Mason Appleton (#82)

Defensemen

L1: Dylan DeMelo (#12), Josh Morrissey (#44)

L2: Neal Poink (#4), Dmitry Kulikov (#7)

L3: Tucker Poolman (#3), Nathan Beaulieu (#88)

Power Play

Unit 1: Kyle Connor (#81), Mark Scheifele (#55), Blake Wheeler (#26), Patrik Laine (#29), Neal Poink (#4)

Unit 2: Mathieu Perreault (#85), Andrew Copp (#9), Nikolaj Ehlers (#27), Jack Roslovic (#28), Josh Morrissey (#44)

Washington Capitals

Forwards

LW: Alex Ovechkin (#8), Jakub Vrana (#13), Carl Hagelin (#62), Richard Panik (#14)

C: Evgeny Kuznetsov (#92), Nicklas Backstrom (#19), Lars Eller (#20), Nic Dowd (#26)

RW: Tom Wilson (#43), T.J. Oshie (#77), Ilya Kovalchuk (#17), Garnet Hathaway (#21)

Defensemen

L1: Michal Kempny (#6), John Carlson (#74)

L2: Brenden Dillon (#4), Dmitry Orlov (#9)

L3: Jonas Siegenthaler (#34), Nick Jensen (#3)

Power Play

Unit 1: Alex Ovechkin (#8), T.J. Oshie (#77), Jakub Vrana (#13), John Carlson (#74), Nicklas Backstrom (#19)

Unit 2: Carl Hagelin (#62), Lars Eller (#20), Richard Panik (#14), Nick Jensen (#3), Dmitry Orlov (#9)

Contents

Basic Line Concepts

NHL teams universally deploy 4 lines for forwards, each of which traditionally has a slightly different role, and are usually made up of a different caliber of player. The first line generally has the most talented offensive players on the team, and is responsible for bulk of that team’s scoring. A first line also receives the most ice time. The second line is another offensive-minded line, made up of the next best offensive forwards. Teams with multiple superstar players face the choice of either stacking their top line or splitting their stars between the first and second lines. That kind of choice can vary from game to game.

A prominent example over the last decade would be the Blackhawks, where coach Joel Quenneville would alternate between splitting Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane between first and second lines and pairing them on the first line. The third line is traditionally referred to as the checking line, and usually features forwards who are skilled at defense and limited offensively.

The idea behind the classic third line is to match up against an opponent’s top line and frustrate them defensively. The fourth line is traditionally referred to as the energy line, and it receives the least ice time and tends to feature the least skilled forwards on the team. In years past, the fourth line is where low-skilled enforcers would play, though this is changing as the league grows away from that aspect of the game. In addition to the 4 line structure, teams feature lines which play on the penalty and to kill opposing penalties. Generally, the standout forwards from the first and second lines play on the power play lines, and gritty third liners can often feature on penalty kill lines.

Line Assignments

A demotion from the first to the third line, or from the second to the fourth line, likely means a significant drop-off in ice time for a player. This is almost always going to have an impact on daily fantasy stats. And the converse is true: If a player is promoted to a higher line, chances are his value has now improved by virtue of more ice time. But the impact of line shuffling goes beyond just increased/decreased ice time. Certain players elevate the stats of players sharing a line with them. A player playing on a line with Sidney Crosby or Steven Stamkos will always score more points than that same player playing with a lesser center.

So, a player dropping from a first line pairing with Steven Stamkos to a third line pairing with Cedric Paquette is a double whammy. Not only is he receiving less ice time, but he’s no longer benefiting from all the extra opportunities and assists that Stamkos brings to his line. Beyond where a player is being slotted into his team’s four lines, be cognizant of how much usage a player gets on the power play, and to a lesser extent the penalty kill. Power play minutes are pure gold, as over 20% of all goals are scored on the power play. Often daily fantasy leagues offer a bonus for any goals or assists scored while shorthanded, so penalty kill minutes can be a minor bonus. But the main point is that players on power play lines should be valued appropriately for their greater likelihood to generate scoring.

Not All Ice Time Is Created Equally

The above is a solid guide to how to consider line combinations when trying to value players for daily fantasy hockey, but there’s one other consideration if you’re looking to properly judge players and their lines. NHL coaches aren’t just throwing their lines out on the ice in 1-2-3-4 order. They’re deploying them for specific reasons and in specific circumstances, and that strategy has a big impact on how much offense a given line or player produces. The two relevant ideas are Quality of Competition and Offensive/Defensive Zone Deployment. Simply put, some players and lines tend to be put on the ice against the opposing team’s best players, and some players and lines tend to either start their shifts more in either the offensive or defensive zones.

All of these metrics are tracked and can be accessed on a number of NHL stats websites, and paying proper attention to QoC (Quality of Competition) and OZ% (Offensive Zone Deployment Percentage) can help you recognize which players and lines are being put in the position to score more or fewer points than their raw talent would otherwise dictate. Take a player like Vladimir Tarasenko and the St. Louis Blues’ top line. Tarasenko is getting nearly 70% of his non-neutral zone starts in the offensive zone. Further, in 2019-2020 Tarasenko’s line was being matched with opponents’ weaker lines more often than not. The combination of those two factors means that Tarasenko and his line mates are in an ideal position to deliver the daily fantasy goods more often than not. Conversely, a line with more defensive zone starts than offensive ones that is also being paired with an opponent’s top line isn’t going to produce very many points.

To sum it all up, the perfect player for daily fantasy hockey plays on the first line and the top power play line, is paired with talented line mates, gets playing time against weaker opponent lines and generally is deployed for offensive zone starts to line shifts. The established stars in these situations are known quantities, and you’ll have to pay a premium for them. But keep your eyes open for changes in the usage patterns for players as the season progresses. A line shuffle or change in the OZ% for a player can mean that a lesser-valued player can suddenly begin to put up points like a top-tier star.

Why Teams Change Their Lines

We will often see teams run their morning skates before a game, and lines will be announced by beat writers or teams in general. This will give us an indication on what the lines will be for the upcoming game. Now throughout a season lines will change, but there will be some consistent stretches for the top lines. There are a few different reasons for why teams will change their lines throughout a season. Coaches will often try and change things on the fly if the offense is in a rut. Injuries and roster changes will often cause a coach to change around how lines are.

Those top teams that have lines with the top tier talent will remain consistent. You might see a change to move one of them off the top line if the second line is in need of some offense. Splitting up superstars is not uncommon, as Pittsburgh did that with Malkin and Crosby for a while. It is a way of not loading up on one line. Coaches will change lines up if they are struggling offensively. Over the course of a long season, shuffling of the lines will be needed. We also often see it with a power play line as a long struggle scoring power play goals will require quick action in changing the lines.

In a hard-hitting sport like hockey, there are going to be some injuries. An injury is going to require a coach to shuffle some lines around. Because that player is out, it doesn’t mean the replacing player goes right into that line. A coach might take a line three player and move him up to line two or wherever the position is that needs to be replaced. If there is a trade, a shift in line chemistry is going to occur. It might take the coach a few guesses to get things right among the new teammates.

Using Lines For Daily Fantasy Hockey

There is a lot of correlation with fantasy points and the top lines in hockey. As mentioned above, lines are going to impact minutes. There will be a trickle down effect, as the top line will get the most amount of minutes, while the fourth line is going to get the least amount of minutes. Now the score of a game can dictate that a bit on occasion, but in most circumstances this is going to be true. That is why knowing the lines ahead of time before you are building lineups is going to be important. Knowing the power play lines is also important, because on the man advantage you are going to want to get exposure to those guys who have a strong power play.

Now you can find value through lines, as coaches will make those changes throughout a season. Players that get moved up to the second or first line and are usually on the third or fourth will have great value. That is because they are likely going to be cheap based on their usual line, but sites will not have time to adjust to the salary, so you can get a bargain price on a player playing a higher amount of minutes and also with better line mates. That is the overlooked part, as a player is going to have more chances for assists and goals playing with a better set of offensive players.

Like any other sport, opportunity is the first thing we want to look at, and lines are going to showcase that for specific players. Those players that play on the top line and also the power play line are going to be big fantasy options, and when they come of value, you have to key in on then. In most cases those players will be more expensive because the minutes and production are a lot higher. Lines are equal to the starting lineups for other sports. They are going to show what players are going to see more minutes and pairing line mates for offensive upside is also something to note. A player gets a goal, and you have his teammate who sets him up with the assist, you are going to heighten your potential for fantasy points.

Power Play & Penalty Killing Lines

You might hear these lines referred to as special teams lines, but power play and penalty killing lines are important for success in the NHL. When you have a power play you are up a man, or possibly even two, while penalty killing means you are down a man, or two. Being able to capitalize on the power play is a recipe for success. The power play lines are going to feature the more talented offensive players on the team. Now when they struggle, a coach will tend to change things up. He will often ride a hot hand here as well if a player is on a hot streak and the coach wants to use him on the power play where he was initially not on the line anymore. Injuries and moves will occur as well, so that is why you fantasy players should be taking advantage of players who move within the power play lines.

Penalty killing lines are going to be your more defensive players, and they don’t have much fantasy value outside of maybe some blocked shots and a chance at a possible short-handed goal. Just like the power play lines there are going to be two pairings that are going to change in and out. Because a penalty kill is going to be two or four minutes, teams will often change a few times throughout the penalty. Teams need to be strong on the penalty kill, especially if they are a team prone to a lot of penalties.

NHL Team Line Combinations FAQ

What Is A Line In Hockey?

Lines are broken down by defenseman lines and forward lines. There are three defensive lines and four forward lines that will rotate throughout a hockey game. Teams will also have lines for when they are on a power play or penalty kill.

How Do Hockey Players Know When To Switch Lines?

A coach will be the one signaling line changes from the bench, which is going to be through whistling and yelling. Lines will often change when play is stopped, or when the puck is in the opposing zone and they have time to change.

Why Do Hockey Lines Change Players?

Coaches will change lines based on matchups for a specific game to game plan better against an opponent. If a line is struggling, a coach might switch lines up to try and jumpstart things on the offensive side or help a struggling player.

How Many Lines Are There In Hockey?

There are going to be four forward lines, which are listed one through four. They will usually lean on the top players at the number one line and so on. There are three defensive lines, which are pairs of two.

How Long Are Shifts In Hockey?

On average, shift changes will be every 45 to 60 seconds. Now they can be cut shorter and go longer at times, but on average this is how long shifts will be. Powerplay and penalty killing shifts might go on longer.

What Is Last Change Rule In Hockey?

When there is a stoppage in play, teams will often change lines. A home team has an advantage of having the last change, so after the away team makes a line change, the home team has the ability to see what they put out and make their decision on lines.

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