In this week’s installment, we take a look at one hot line and one cold line. The temperature of these lines was determined using Dobber’s Line Production Tool to compare even-strength production over the past 10 games. I compiled a list of the highest scoring line for each team at even strength. Here’s the list…

Yanni Gourde – Brayden Point – Tyler Johnson

At any point in the season, if you ask me who Tampa’s top scoring line is, I’ll go with the safe answer of the Kucherov-Stamkos line. But that answer doesn’t seem so safe anymore, as Gourde and Point continue to prove that their success last season was no fluke. 

Yanni Gourde has been fantastic this season, with 17 points in 17 games. While I don’t think he’ll maintain a point-per-game pace throughout the season, I believe he can replicate last year’s 64-point total. His ice-time is up a minute and a half from last season, so maybe there’s potential for 70?

Brayden Point is one of the most talented players on a truly talented team in Tampa. Try saying that five times fast.  Already with 19 points in 17 games, I’m gonna go ahead and make a ‘bold’ prediction that Point finishes second in team scoring – behind only Nikita Kucherov. The 22-year-old definitely has the tools to be a point-per-game player in the NHL, but maybe 70-75 points is a more realistic expectation this season.

I don’t think Tyler Johnson will ever replicate his magic from 2014-2015 – during which he tallied 72 points in 77 games – but I do believe he’s a solid 55-point player with value in deeper leagues.

Considering they’ve been one of the hottest lines over the past 10 games, it’s no surprise that Gourde, Point, and Johnson have comfortably out-chanced their opponents (62 scoring chances for vs. 48 against). Unlike a lot of high-scoring lines that are mostly deployed in the offensive zone, this trio has an offensive zone faceoff percentage of just 39.68%. Since they’re relied upon at both ends of the ice, it seems logical that they don’t get separated once they hit that inevitable cold stretch.

As I was searching for highlights for this line, I typed ‘Point Gourde scores’ into YouTube. I want you to say, ‘point gourde scores’ out loud. Tell me that doesn’t sound like Steve Carell as Gru from Despicable Me, calling a basketball game (point guard haha). I’ll see myself out…

Pontus Aberg – Ryan Getzlaf – Rickard Rakell

During the past couple of seasons, a lot of Ducks have been sitting. But injuries aren’t the only reason Anaheim has struggled this season, off to a 7-8-3 start (2-6-2 in their last 10). I’m not sure if they’d have a single win without spectacular goaltending from John Gibson and Ryan Miller. They’ve been an extremely boring team to watch, and I hardly ever feel like their offense is threatening to score.

I know I spent the entirety of the above paragraph dumping on the Ducks, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find fantasy value in Anaheim. Maybe I’m out of touch with prevailing hockey opinions, but I feel like nobody realizes just how good Ryan Getzlaf is. While everyone (myself included) complains about how many shots the team gives up, Getzlaf has quietly put up 11 points in 12 games. I’m such a huge fan of guys like Getzlaf and Rakell because they are the most offensively gifted players on a team with a great off-day schedule. While most teams play on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays during the week, you’ll rarely have to sit your Ducks, as 63% (highest in the league) of their games are played on Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Sunday. Now is a great time to buy low on Rickard Rakell, who I believe will improve on his current 54-point pace.

In terms of scoring chances, the Aberg-Getzlaf-Rakell line has allowed as many as they have generated. As I mentioned, the Ducks allow like a million shots a game, so it’s refreshing to see that this trio has a 55.68 Corsi for %. Pontus Aberg has been impressive for stretches this year, with five goals in 12 games. I don’t see him being someone you hold onto for the whole season, but he’s proven he can score every now and then. He definitely hasn’t secured a spot on the top line just yet.

Notable Line Changes

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

Anders Lee – Mathew Barzal – Josh Bailey (Source)

Brock Nelson moves to a line with Jordan Eberle and Andrew Ladd.

Drake Caggiula – Connor McDavid – Leon Draisaitl (Source)

Interesting to see Ryan Nugent-Hopkins away from McDavid. Draisaitl has proven he can perform without McDavid, but we’re well aware of the magic they can create together.

Nick Schmaltz – Jonathan Toews – Patrick Kane (Source)

Don’t know how long this will last, but this hurts DeBrincat’s value in the short term as he is moved down to the third line (I type this as he scores against the Hurricanes). The Blackhawks are currently on an eight-game losing streak. So I expect the lines to be shuffled a bit more before they find a winning combination.

Jeff Skinner – Jack Eichel – Sam Reinhart (Source)

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Well, apparently Sabres’ coach Phil Housley doesn’t subscribe to that logic as he breaks up the hottest line in the league. Obviously, this is great news for Reinhart owners and awful news for Pominville owners. Sam Reinhart is still available in 57% of leagues, and should make a great addition to your roster.

Nikolay Goldobin – Elias Pettersson – Jake Virtanen (Source)

Shotgun Jake on the top line with rookie sensation Elias Pettersson! Virtanen – the sixth overall pick of the 2014 draft – already has seven goals in 19 games.