Christmas is over ladies and gentlemen. Between The Lines takes care of what was hot before Christmas (Wk of12/17-12/24) and looks ahead to Week 12 in your fantasy league. It is a normal week so let us take a look.

Forward March…..

Daniel Cleary-Darren Helm-Andrew Miller (Detroit) – This was a surprise. Keep in mind that Friday to Friday weeks in fantasy leagues benefitted Detroit immensely as they had four games that week. Nonetheless, Daniel Cleary was quite effective with five points. Then Darren Helm chipped in with four assists and then Andrew Miller had four goals to top it off. Put the efforts of this line together and though you have the classic makings of a Christmas week fluke, the Cleary-Helm duo is a pretty good start for Week 12.

Curtis Glencross-Jarome Iginla-Olli Jokinen (Calgary) – Curtis Glencross was the surprise of the week in the sense that he had four goals in four games. It is a streak that is common with players associated on the line of Jarome Iginla. Iginla is a streaky player and rides the wave better than most. However, he did have five points in four games while Olli Jokinen tallied two goals. Glencross has the ability to fuel this line and send it into an even hotter streak. Keep an eye on Week 12 and add him if possible.

Ryan Clowe-Logan Couture-Patrick Marleau (San Jose) – This trio is one to keep an eye on in Week 12. They tallied seven points leading up to Christmas. The injury to Marty Havlat forced Patrick Marleau to be moved with Ryan Clowe and Logan Couture. Of course, the line produces keyed by Couture's three goal week. The 37.6% frequency at EV will be fascinating to see how the PP percentages play out for next week. If you own anyone on this trio, take the bump and run. San Jose is due for a hot fantasy stretch.

Patrice Bergeron-Brad Marchand-Tyler Seguin (Boston) – A team that has gone 20-2-1 in its last 23 games has to have depth and timely scoring. Boston certainly has this. Brad Marchand had seven points, including a hat trick and two assists against the Florida Panthers on Friday. Tyler Seguin then proceeded to a five point week with great passing as his catalyst. Marchand is the finisher while Seguin can do a little of both but the more pure passer is Patrice Bergeron. Bergeron did have one goal and three assists on the week. Look out for Week 12.

Christopher Higgins-Ryan Kesler-Mason Raymond (Vancouver) – If this line is given the chance to develop, it could be the second line that propels many fantasy owners to glory. Why? It is simple. The trio has wheels, grit, and the chance to gain more ice time under Coach Alain Vigenault. Please disregard the fact that they combined for six points in Week 11. The more time they practice together, the more apt for fantasy relevance they will get. Put Mason Raymond and Christopher Higgins on your Week 12 radar.

Lead Us Defenders….

Shea Weber-Ryan Suter (Nashville) – This is a power couple for defense that quite frankly should have appeared here a bit sooner. With seven points combined in Week 11, it just goes to show that Shea Weber and Ryan Suter can rack up points. Weber had six points and Suter had three so that is nine between the duo overall. Nashville simply needs these guys to light up the scoreboard whether it is assists or goals. More of these weeks were expected from the duo. Temper your expectations for Week 12 however a bit.

Dustin Byfuglien-Tobias Enstrom (Winnipeg) – People have just forgotten what Tobias Enstrom can do. He helped turn Dustin Byfuglien into the fantasy relevant defender he is today. Enstrom in his own right is a top ten fantasy defenseman. When you combine a guy who can top the 50 point plateau in Enstrom and a raw talent like Byfuglien together, good things are almost a given. Granted Enstrom has been injured for most of the year but with four points combined in Week 11, Week 12 is looking up.

Justin Faulk-Jay Harrison (Carolina) – It is these "under the radar" pairings that can really make some noise in fantasy leagues. The two defensemen combined for four points last week and both have offensive upside to do even more damage. People will forget that Justin Faulk is only 19 while Jay Harrison is 29 but both have chemistry together. Carolina needed to find pairings that work and this one has a shot of doing so. Carolina also has a history of guys who shoot up fantasy rankings in the second half of a season. Faulk could be that guy while Harrison rides the residuals.

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @TheProgramBTR and fire away your questions.   Thanks again.