Fantasy Hockey Lineup Tips: Maximizing Top NHL Scoring Lines

In the world of fantasy hockey, a player`s individual ability is only part of the success equation. While superstars like Nathan MacKinnon or Nikita Kucherov can dominate on their own, for most players, who they share the ice with is critically important for realizing their fantasy potential.

Imagine a fantasy league where you don`t pick individual players, but entire forward lines or defensive pairings. And points are only awarded when all players of the chosen unit are on the ice during 5-on-5 play. Of course, in real fantasy hockey, our players aren`t so rigidly tied together, but this visualization helps to clearly assess which combinations are clicking and which pairings are performing well at the start of the season.

Below are the top forward lines by total fantasy points, earned exclusively when all three players were on the ice together at even strength.

The conclusion is clear: add players from these effective lines to your team where possible. Artturi Lehkonen, available in 60% of leagues, is an obvious target. Sean Monahan (73.0%) and Andrei Kuzmenko (81.7%) also offer accessible options to tap into some of the top lines. The Blackhawks unit should be widely available, and all three players have been getting power-play time with Connor Bedard. In deeper leagues, Brazeau and Mantha will only be as valuable as Malkin makes them – and he has been inconsistent in recent seasons.

But the true gem to highlight here is Zack Bolduc (C, Montreal Canadiens, available in 40.3% of leagues). His even-strength line with veteran Gallagher and a healthy Dach has been accumulating fantasy points in every standard category. Furthermore, if we remove the 5-on-5 restriction, the Canadiens` top power-play unit (Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Bolduc) accounts for 12.8 fantasy points. This means Bolduc is part of two distinct top-20 fantasy lines early in the season. His spot on the top power play wasn`t guaranteed before the season, with rookie Ivan Demidov expected to get ice time. However, Bolduc proves himself a specialist, especially given his successful power-play performance late last season with the St. Louis Blues.

The situation with defensemen is a bit different. You shouldn`t necessarily aim to simply get `access` to a pairing, as the points they generate are usually lower, and there isn`t as significant a `trickle-down` effect of fantasy points as with forwards. For instance, Brandon Carlo doesn`t belong on your fantasy roster just because he and Rielly are a top-10 duo. Nevertheless, interesting options are emerging for roster additions, especially for defensemen.

Lundkvist, Fehervary, Ferraro, and Zadorov can all be considered for rosters in deeper leagues. However, the most significant aspect is the ice time for Shayne Gostisbehere, as his partnership with Nikishin significantly boosts his overall stats. Last season, Carolina sheltered him during 5-on-5 play, but this partnership is proving exceptionally successful so far. In addition to being among the leaders in fantasy points for defensive pairs, the Hurricanes have scored five goals with this pair on the ice (the most in the NHL for a pairing) and allowed only one. Gostisbehere is available in 40.7% of leagues, and Nikishin is available in 89.5%.

Goalie Analysis

Obviously, the `this week` and `season` statistics are currently almost identical, but to maintain consistency with the format we`ll use throughout the season, we`ll keep them. At this point, there isn`t much to say about goaltenders beyond a few injuries, as there isn`t enough data yet for definitive new conclusions.

• Colorado Avalanche in four games (four last week):

  • Scott Wedgewood (crease share season/week: 100.0%/100.0%, fantasy points season/week: 19.4/19.4, 50.7% available)

  Last season, we already saw the `will he, won`t he` scenario with Wedgewood as he tried to carve out more playing time from Mackenzie Blackwood after several strong performances, even before they became tandem partners via trade. However, the Avalanche handed Blackwood both the reins and the contract, so there won`t be much debate about who the No. 1 is once he`s healthy (possibly later this week). Nevertheless, Wedgewood retains value in daily lineup formats given his results to date and a likely 35% share of starts.

• Detroit Red Wings in three games (four last week):

  • Cam Talbot (crease share season/week: 79.3%/79.3%, fantasy points season/week: 10.4/10.4, 90.1% available)
  • John Gibson (crease share season/week: 20.7%/20.7%, fantasy points season/week: -8.4/-8.4, 76.8% available)

  Well, this is quite an awkward start, isn`t it? It`s too early to write off Gibson, but Talbot has instantly transformed from an afterthought into a must-roster fantasy goalie. Hopefully, your fantasy season doesn`t solely depend on this goaltending battle, but value is value, and it looks like the Red Wings might win enough games for it to matter.

• Montreal Canadiens in three games (three last week):

  • Sam Montembeault (crease share season/week: 66.3%/66.3%, fantasy points season/week: 2.4/2.4, 19.8% available)
  • Jakub Dobes (crease share season/week: 33.6%/33.6%, fantasy points season/week: 8.0/8.0, 94.2% available)

  An excellent start for this duo, with Dobes continuing to deliver whenever called upon. The next few weeks should clarify how starts will be divided, but for now, it`s not quite time to rush to pick up Dobes. If his share of starts pushes past 40%, then it might be worth considering him.

• Utah Mammoth in three games (three last week):

  • Karel Vejmelka (crease share season/week: 66.9%/66.9%, fantasy points season/week: 5.0/5.0, 65.7% available)
  • Vitek Vanecek (crease share season/week: 33.1%/33.1%, fantasy points season/week: -1.8/-1.8, 99.0% available)

  Given that Vanecek has already played his game on Monday, Vejmelka could take the net for all three of the Mammoth`s remaining games this week. After facing the Flames, Sharks, and Bruins, his availability percentage might look very different from what it is now.

Power Play Insights

• Leo Carlsson, C, Anaheim Ducks (available in 76.7%): The Ducks have been actively attacking their opponents` nets since the start of the season. Carlsson plays a key role in their offense, and his position on the power play is a prime one.

• Sean Monahan, C, Columbus Blue Jackets (available in 73.0%): Averaging 3:24 minutes on the power play per game so far, Monahan is helping drive the Blue Jackets` top unit. This wasn`t guaranteed given Adam Fantilli`s continuous development, but it strengthens the case for Monahan as an early-season waiver wire addition, especially considering his top-line role at 5-on-5.

• Sam Rinzel, D, Chicago Blackhawks (available in 80.0%): In 11:04 of total power-play time so far, Chicago`s top unit has only managed five shots on goal, while the second unit capitalized during Monday`s win. If the top group doesn`t start clicking soon, Rinzel is the most likely player to be swapped out for a fresh look, with Artyom Levshunov and power-play specialist Matt Grzelcyk waiting in the wings.

• David Tomasek, RW, Edmonton Oilers (available in 99.3%): It would be easier to advocate for Tomasek if he had a significant 5-on-5 role, but even solely due to his power-play exposure, he could offer value. He`s firmly entrenched in the first special teams unit, which has scored two goals in two games and is generating numerous chances.

• Anton Lundell, LW, Florida Panthers (available in 34.1%): The Panthers` top power-play unit has scored two goals, but the second unit has tallied four times in less ice time. Lundell is a must-add in all league formats, with three power-play points in four games.

• Zeev Buium, D, Minnesota Wild (available in 62.9%): With two more power-play goals on Monday, the Wild`s top unit has raised its season total to six (with a seventh coming when Marco Rossi subbed in for Vladimir Tarasenko). This group is incredibly effective, and Buium should be rostered in every fantasy team solely for his power-play points.

• Dougie Hamilton, D, New Jersey Devils (available in 14.9%): After two games with balanced power-play units, the Devils swapped Dawson Mercer and Luke Hughes off the first unit for Timo Meier and Dougie Hamilton on Monday. The result? The top unit`s first successful play with the man advantage.

• Oliver Bjorkstrand, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning (available in 79.1%): This is likely an effort to add more punch to the second unit, but for now, Bjorkstrand remains a key player on the first unit, while Brandon Hagel skates with the second group. If only Bjorkstrand could force his way into the top six at 5-on-5.

Waiver Wire Candidates (Drops)

At this early stage of the season, there are no absolute must-drop players, at least none you haven`t already identified as such yourself. It`s still too soon to give up on players due to a slow start, but another week or two of weak production will begin to separate the expendable from the essential. In the meantime, here are a few names and early ice-time trends worth monitoring. We`ll revisit them with a larger sample size if these players don`t start seeing more minutes.

• Frank Vatrano, RW, Anaheim Ducks (rostered in 76.5%): 12:14 TOI per game, 1.2 FPPG

• Adam Fantilli, C, Columbus Blue Jackets (rostered in 95.3%): 15:40 TOI per game, 1.6 FPPG

• Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Colorado Avalanche (rostered in 68.3%): 13:51 TOI per game, 0.5 FPPG

• Ivan Demidov, RW, Montreal Canadiens (rostered in 49.3%): 13:15 TOI per game, 0.4 FPPG

• Matvei Michkov, RW, Philadelphia Flyers (rostered in 87.3%): 14:25 TOI per game, 0.1 FPPG

• Elias Pettersson, C, Vancouver Canucks (rostered in 97.6%): 15:57 TOI per game, 1.5 FPPG

Wait… less than 16 minutes per game for Pettersson? Seriously? That`s something we`ll be keeping a close eye on in the coming weeks.