In this week’s installment, we take a look at the top 15 line combinations around the league (one from each team). This top 15 was determined by which lines had tallied the most even strength points so far this season. Using Dobber’s Line Production Tool, I compiled a list of the highest scoring line for each team at even strength. Here’s the list…

Gabriel Landeskog – Nathan Mackinnon – Mikko Rantanen

As our very own Cam Robinson points out, each member of this line has been unsustainably lucky to start the season. Gabriel Landeskog’s 26.8 shooting percentage is almost double his previous career-high of 13.7%.

2. Jeff Skinner – Jack Eichel – Jason Pominville

Since this line was put together on October 20^th they are the top three scorers in the NHL. Their stats are only slightly inflated from a 9-2 win against the Senators, in which they each recorded three points.

3. Carl Hagelin – Evgeni Malkin – Phil Kessel

Evgeni Malkin is more than capable of being 100-point player in the NHL, IF he stays healthy and that’s a big IF (notice how I capitalized ‘if’ both times). Sure, he played 78 games last season, but he played 62 before that, 57 before that, 69 before that, 60 before that… I love the rush of gambling, so I’ll be holding onto Malkin and praying for his health. The smart play would probably be to capitalize on his value now and trade him for a safer option.

4. Filip Forsberg – Ryan Johansen – Viktor Arvidsson

Starting from last season, this line has scored 51 goals and allowed just 23. They belong in the conversation for the best line in the league. I’m a believer that Filip Forsberg will hit 40 goals this season, for the first time in his career.

5. Micheal Ferland – Sebastian Aho – Teuvo Teravainen

The Hurricanes have been struggling recently, currently on a four-game losing streak during which they’ve scored just six goals. Coaches tend to mix up the lines when their team struggles, which resulted in Andrei Svechnikov taking Teravainen’s spot on this line. If you ask me, coach Rob Brind’Amour will revert back to the Ferland – Aho – Teravainen sooner rather than later.

6. Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – David Pastrnak

Another trio that belongs in the conversation for best line in the league. In over 700 minutes of ice-time together (between this season and last), they sport an impressive CF% of 59.77 at even strength. If only the Bruins could get some depth scoring…

7. Tomas Tatar – Phillip Danault – Brendan Gallagher

Montreal’s hardest working line, every single night. Phillip Danault is growing into a very effective shutdown center, Brendan Gallagher should hit 30-35 goals, and Tomas Tatar continues to generate quality chances – I just wish he’d put a few more in the back of the net.

8. Tomas Hertl – Logan Couture – Timo Meier

For so long in San Jose, the Pavelski-Thornton line was considered the team’s best. As the Joes get older, it seems like the young blood (specifically Meier) is starting to take over. Obviously, it’s early in the season and Pavelski and Thornton haven’t played their best hockey just yet, but don’t be surprised if the Hertl-Couture-Meier line is considered San Jose’s best by the end of the season (although they won’t keep up this pace).

9. Zach Hyman – John Tavares – Mitchell Marner

(Not so) bold prediction: John Tavares and Mitchell Marner are going to be extremely productive from now until Auston Matthews’ return.

10.  Alex DeBrincat – Jonathan Toews – Dominik Kahun

While they’ve generated more shot attempts than their opponents (54.47 Corsi for %), the opposition has created more high-danger chances (38 against vs. 27 for). While Kahun held his spot on the top line for the majority of the season, it looks like Brandon Saad might have stolen it for the time being.

11.  Anders Lee – Brock Nelson – Josh Bailey

I respect the fact that coach Barry Trotz has created a solid team in Brooklyn, but I’m not convinced they’re as good as they appear to be. While Josh Bailey and Anders Lee have proven that they’re more than just products of John Tavares, they also aren’t point-per-game players. Sure, Brock Nelson should be more valuable than last season because he has taken on a bigger role with more ice-time, but that still doesn’t make him a must-own. Just an under the radar guy in deeper leagues. This line gets heavily outshot while they’re on the ice together, sporting a Corsi for % of just 43.

12.  Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Elias Lindholm

Since an embarrassing 9-1 loss to the Penguins on October 25, Sean Monahan leads the league with nine points in five games, followed closely by Elias Lindholm with eight in five, and Johnny Gaudreau with seven in five.

13.  Artemi Panarin – Pierre-Luc Dubois – Cam Atkinson

We learned last season that this is a very good line. They continue to show us that this season as they thoroughly outchance their opponents (78 for vs. 53 against), especially in terms of high-danger opportunities (32 for vs. 17 against).

14.  Jamie Benn – Tyler Seguin – Alexander Radulov

Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin are better with Alexander Radulov than they are without him, it doesn’t take a genius to figure that out. However, because of Radulov’s recent injury struggles, Benn and Seguin have played more without Radulov, than they have with him. In my opinion, Jamie Benn is closer to a 75-point player than a 65-point player (he’s currently on pace for 65 points), so now might be a good time to try and make a move for him.

15.  Taylor Hall – Nico Hischier – Kyle Palmieri

After taking a look at the advanced stats, I’ve come to the conclusion that this trio’s even-strength point production should be much better. They outshoot their opponents, they outchance their opponents, but most notably – they create more high-danger opportunities (40 for vs 19 against). Kyle Palmieri has 15 points – seven of which have come at even strength, Nico Hischier has 10 points – five of which have come at even strength, and Taylor Hall has 14 points – four of which have come at even strength.

Follow me on Twitter @BrennanDeSouza for the latest line combinations and injury updates!