Jordan Staal Powering One of the League’s Hottest Lines

Fred Poulin

2017-01-17

Let's have a look at the hottest lines in the National Hockey League since the beginning of the season, including a few defensemen producing offensively. You will also find below the "Cold as ice" line and duo of the week.

 

Hot forwards

 

Alexander OvechkinNicklas BackstromT.J. Oshie (Washington)

This line has been together for some time, save for when Oshie is missing games, and it keeps producing offensively. The Great 8 has been en fuego over the last 15 games, potting 17 points, including seven goals. After a slow start, Ovechkin now has a respectable 21 goals and 39 points in 44 games. He also has eight power-play goals in the process. Backstrom is currently blazing hot with 13 points in his last seven games. The team leader in points, he now has 13 goals and 43 points in 44 games after his last torrid stretch. Expect him to reach the 80-point plateau after a subpar campaign in 2015-16. With 13 points in his last nine games, Oshie is producing at his regular pace, with 28 points in 36 contests. He will record between 50 and 60 points once again if he can avoid landing on the injured reserve before the end of the season.

 

EV Strength Production = 110 points

PP Production = 34 points

 

Jason ZuckerMikko KoivuMikael Granlund (Minnesota)

With six points over his last seven games, Zucker is enjoying a solid season so far, having reached career highs in goals (11), assists (17) and points (28). Zucker is currently on pace for more than 20 goals and 50 points after recording only 23 points last year. After a dismal start, the Wild's captain is having a very good sequence with 16 points in 15 games, including seven goals. He now has 30 points in 42 games en route to his usual yearly production of 55-60 points. The third member of this line has 18 points in his last 15 games. Granlund, who had a career-best 44 points last season, now has 10 goals and 35 points in 42 contests for Minnesota. The speedster is enjoying his breakthrough season and is currently on pace to hit the respectable 70-point mark.

 

EV Strength Production = 95 points

PP Production = 16 points

 

Brock McGinn – Elias LindholmJordan Staal (Carolina)

After a very, but very slow start, Lindholm is finally clicking with his two linemates, scoring nine points in his last six games. He had only nine points in 29 games prior to that hot stretch. The unknown pivot is probably available in all of your fantasy hockey leagues! His rookie winger, Brock McGinn, has come out of nowhere to record nine points in his last six games for Carolina. The youngster now has 12 points in 27 contests this season after recording a mere four points in 21 games during his rookie campaign in 2015-16. The younger Staal brother, Jordan, is finally finding his scoring touch with nine points in his last six games. The two-way pivot now has nine goals and 23 points in 36 games, on pace to repeat last season's production of 48 points.

 

EV Strength Production = 53 points

PP Production = 4 points

 

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Dynamic duo

Nathan BeaulieuShea Weber (Montreal)

While they don't play together at even strength, they are part of the Habs' first power play unit. With eight points in his past 10 games, Beaulieu now has a respectable 16 points in 39 games for the Canadiens. He is currently on pace for more than 30 points, which would be by far his career best. He also has seven power-play assists during Andrei Markov's long-term absence. As for Weber, he has nine points in his last 11 games for a total of 10 goals and 28 points in 45 games for Montreal. The Norris Trophy candidate has been a mainstay on the team's blue line all season and eight PPG and 15 PPP are on par with his usual production.

 

EV Strength Production = 44 points

PP Production = 22 points

 

Cold as ice line

Gabriel LandeskogNathan MacKinnonMikko Rantanen (Colorado)

What a disappointing season in Colorado! With most of the offense struggling, it's no surprise that a rookie like Rantanen has problems finding the back of the net with only four points in his last 11 matches. Overall, the right winger has only six goals and 18 points in 36 games, including seven power-play points. Poolers were expecting more production from the Finn. The captain is also struggling mightily in 2016-17 with only eight goals and 14 points in 31 games after missing games with an injury. Landeskog has only five points in his last 13 games for Colorado and he is on pace for a mere 32 points. Yuck! He had recorded 65, 59 and 53 points over the previous three seasons so you can see a downward trend. With three points over his last seven games, MacKinnon is neither hot nor cold, but a better offensive production is expected for him. On the season, he has 11 goals and 28 points in 41 games for the struggling Avs and is on pace for only 55 points. Colorado was hoping for much more after Mac's rookie season of 63 points…

 

EV Strength Production = 60 points

PP Production = 16 points

 

Cold as ice duo

Cam FowlerKevin Bieksa (Anaheim)

With a single point in his last 13 games, Fowler's offense has dried down in the Californian desert this season. After a solid start during which he recorded 22 points in 33 games, Fowler has been on a month-long slump for the Ducks. Fowler is still getting the bulk of power play time on the blue line with more than 3:22 minutes per game on the PP. He is at best a 40-point defenseman, so don't expect too much contribution until the end of the season. As for his partner Bieksa, he only has five points in 46 games as well for Anaheim. His offense has completely vanished over the years so he is not worth rostering.

 

EV Strength Production = 28 points

PP Production = 13 points

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