The NHL’s holiday break is coming up this weekend, so now is a good time to evaluate where things stand around the league.
As of Wednesday morning, there had been 154 forward lines with at least 60 minutes played together during 5-on-5. Which ones are the best at what they do? Let’s take a look:
TOP SCORING LINE
Jason Robertson–Roope Hintz–Joe Pavelski, Dallas Stars
The Stars’ top trio has been inseparable over the past few seasons, so it is no surprise that Robertson, Hintz and Pavelski lead all forward lines in 5-on-5 on-ice scoring with 28 goals, 19 of which have come from the inner slot. Dallas has controlled 61.9 per cent of scoring chances when that line is on the ice.
Robertson has achieved superstardom in 2022, scoring 21 goals over the course of an 18-game point streak and trailing only Auston Matthews in goals scored this calendar year, 57 to 55. Hintz is one of the top generators of offence in the league, particularly when it comes to completing passes to the slot, and Pavelski remains a highly effective net-front presence.
The highest-scoring line in terms of goals for per 20 minutes is Edmonton’s Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman, a combination that has averaged 2.5 goals per 20 this season.
TOP RUSH LINE
Jeff Skinner–Tage Thompson–Alex Tuch, Buffalo Sabres
Tampa Bay’s No. 1 line of Brandon Hagel, Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov has generated the most on-ice rush scoring chances this season (53). No line, however, has contributed to more goals off the rush than Buffalo’s top unit (10). Skinner, Thompson and Tuch, who have scored 57 of the Sabres’ league-leading 126 goals, helped generate six rush goals all of last season.
Under coach Don Granato, the Sabres have become a dangerous team in transition. This season, Buffalo ranks third with 5.66 rush scoring chances per game at 5-on-5, up from 4.98 per game in 2021-22.
TOP SHUTDOWN LINE
Tomas Tatar–Nico Hischier–Fabian Zetterlund, New Jersey Devils
Despite starting less than 30 per cent of their 5-on-5 shifts in the offensive zone, Tatar, Hischier and Zetterlund have controlled close to 70 per cent of on-ice expected goals. The Devils have given up just one 5-on-5 goal against in 138:04 with that line on the ice.
Hischier has played a significant role in that. Devils coach Lindy Ruff tasks his captain with shutting down the top forwards on the other side, which he does on a consistent basis by turning defence into offence in an instant.
“I actually think he should be a (Selke Trophy) candidate this year,” Ruff told reporters last month. “His two-way game is right up there with a (Patrice) Bergeron and the likes of those types of players.”
TOP POSSESSION LINE
Chandler Stephenson–Jack Eichel–Mark Stone, Vegas Golden Knights
When Stephenson, Eichel and Stone set up shop in the offensive zone, opponents have had a hard time getting them to leave. This line has possessed the puck for a league-leading 33:22, thanks to its ability to wear down opposing skaters along the boards.
The Golden Knights have scored seven goals off the cycle when Stephenson, Eichel and Stone are on the ice, tied with the Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov, Sam Steel and Mats Zuccarello for most in the league.
Unfortunately, Eichel’s injury issues have prevented the Golden Knights from deploying that line to their liking.
Data from Sportlogiq
