Between the Lines: Week 12

Chris Wassel

2014-12-23

AnzeKopitar

The hottest lines in fantasy hockey for Week 12.

This week saw the offensive numbers go nuts with a few lines. Then the mumps scare came in full force which caused much displeasure. Now it is time to go "Between The Lines".

Lead Us Forwards

Anze Kopitar–Marian Gaborik–Jeff Carter (Los Angeles) –The thing is this line should send a Christmas card to Martin Brodeur for being so accommodating. They combined for a season high 18 points in Week 11 and it could have been even more. Overall, they had 23 points with Anze Kopitar leading the way with nine points including five points in one game against St. Louis. Marian Gaborik alone had a whopping six goals. From the team that brought you "That 70's Line", here comes the "Million Dollar Line".

Loui Eriksson–Carl Soderberg–Chris Kelly (Boston) – You were expecting the Patrice Bergeron or David Krejci line this week, weren't you? Each player on this line had four points and we even saw clutch goals by Eriksson just like Boston was promised last year. Their line frequency was all over the place mostly in the third line range but if they do keep producing, the trio who had 11 points together, could end up getting more power play time. If you expect them to produce around this rate every week then you may be off your rocker but they could come reasonably close.

Tyler Bozak-James Van Riemsdyk-Phil Kessel (Toronto) – There they are yet again and again and again. This week they found their way to 11 combined points as Phil Kessel anchored the line with six points. Think about it, despite maybe a better option than Nazem Kadri, the top Toronto line just produces. Fantasy bottom line dictates that is what you go with and with a 100% healthy Kessel. It is Kessel, Kessel, Kessel all the way. For the awful defense and possession numbers that they can provide, this line usually provides enough scoring punch to justify them in your lineup every single week.

Defend This

Andrej Sekera–Justin Faulk (Carolina) – Before Carolina had everything go wrong in their 0 for October start, there were lots of expectations that both Andrej Sekera and Justin Faulk could top 45 points this year. Both players had three points each and though wins will be hard to come by. This is a pairing that could really thrive on special teams in the weeks to come. Sekera is a pretty solid quarterback on the man advantage while Faulk has a booming shot but some pretty good hands to boot. They are one to keep an eye on in deeper leagues.

Cody Franson–Dion Phaneuf (Toronto) – They were on the list basically because of Cody Franson. Anyone who is anyone has to understand how this works. Dion Phaneuf is the strong armed part of this operation while Franson is the creator who has a pretty good shot in his own right. Their four combined points naturally featured a four point week from Franson. Even Korbinian Holzer for Toronto had three points. The frustrating part for Phaneuf owners is they keep looking for those Calgary days and instead they find a slow stay at home defenseman who provides about 30 points a year or so. Sad pandas indeed!

Jay Bouwmeester–Alex Pietrangelo (St. Louis) – Hey it wasn't that Jackman-Shattenkirk duo. It was the Bouwmeester-Pietrangelo pairing. Jay Bouwmeester and Alex Pietrangelo had four total points while together but yes they had a bit of an adventure defensively and we will leave it at that. Overall the Blues were singing them quite a lot this week. At least there was some offense mixed in to help soothe the hurt. Which St. Louis pairing will we see in Week 12 or will there be someone else in this slot? Put money on the field!

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As always you can follow me @ChrisWasselTHW and thanks for reading. See you next week with four more line combination and three pairings for "Between The Lines".

UPCOMING GAMES

Mar 23 - 15:03	CHI	vs	PHI
Mar 23 - 15:03	WPG	vs	BUF
Mar 23 - 18:03	FLA	vs	PIT
Mar 23 - 18:03	STL	vs	NSH
Mar 23 - 20:03	ANA	vs	CAR
Mar 23 - 20:03	VGK	vs	T.B
Mar 23 - 21:03	L.A	vs	BOS