Between the Lines: Week Eight

Chris Wassel

2014-11-25

MarianHossa

The hottest lines in the NHL heading into Week Eight.

This week saw Chicago come to the forefront offensively. When you really think about it though, it was still insane. Then the numbers started to come in and then the weekend numbers were even better. Now it is time to go "Between The Lines".

Lead Us Forwards

Patrick Kane–Brad Richards–Kris Versteeg (Chicago) – It is like trying to explain the reason why kids liked Apple Jacks. They just do. It is the same thing with the Kane line as they ruled the roost with 12 combined points last week. Patrick Kane and Kris Versteeg both had seven points in Week Seven. This just seems hard to fathom and yet it happened. Up until last night in Vancouver, it seemed the flood gates had finally opened. Expect more bursts but not another seven-point week from Versteeg.

Brandon Saad–Marian Hossa–Jonathan Toews (Chicago) – Seeing Marian Hossa near the top of the scoring charts this week was a welcome sight. People were starting to get worried. The Hossa line piled up 10 points while together and that included seven from the ageless wonder. Jonathan Toews managed three goals and an assist while Brandon Saad was able to help drive possession for the line. The question becomes can these two lines produce permanently? With Joel Quenneville in charge, the lines may not even stay the same. Stay tuned.

Dustin Brown–Jarret Stoll–Justin Williams (Los Angeles) – So, the 70's line is long gone but apparently this makeshift line with the captain and a Game-Seven expert seemed to work last week to the tune of 10 points. Justin Williams led the way for this line with four points while the others had three each. Their line frequency was the equivalent of a second line with some second line power play time. Will Darryl Sutter keep them together? There is no answer for that but against teams like Dallas and Arizona, there is no question that the Brown line can at least somewhat continue this production.

Jamie Benn–Cody Eakin–Tyler Seguin (Dallas) – Let's all go to Benneguin's everyone! The Los Angeles game helped our previous entrants and helped the new Dallas top line garner nine points combined this week. They are everywhere and hog a whopping amount of time on the power play. There is nothing wrong with that. Meanwhile, Jason Spezza and Ales Hemsky have been re-united in Dallas. It will be intriguing to see how this all works out but so far, so good for all parties involved. Dallas does have to stop the bleeding defensively but this line will have to carry them.

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UPCOMING GAMES

Dec 27 - 19:12	DET	vs	TOR
Dec 27 - 19:12	BUF	vs	CHI
Dec 27 - 19:12	CBJ	vs	BOS
Dec 27 - 19:12	N.J	vs	CAR
Dec 27 - 20:12	DAL	vs	MIN
Dec 27 - 20:12	STL	vs	NSH
Dec 27 - 21:12	UTA	vs	COL
Dec 27 - 22:12	S.J	vs	VGK