In this week’s instalment, I share a few quick notes about how some lines in the Eastern Conference have been performing this season. Using Dobber’s Line Production Tool, we compared even-strength point production around the league. ‘Time on ice’ represents how many minutes each trio has played as a line this season, values were retrieved from Natural Stat Trick. I compiled a list of the highest scoring line for each team at even strength. Here’s the list…

1. Zach Hyman – John Tavares – Mitchell Marner

Up until this point, they’ve outscored their opponents 27-16 at even-strength. Mitch Marner leads the team in scoring with 43 points in 33 games. He led the team in scoring last year with 69 points in 82 games (Auston Matthews had 63 points in 62 games).

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

As a line they’ve started about 82% of their shifts in the offensive zone (doesn’t include neutral zone faceoffs). Artemi Panarin and Cam Atkinson have been spectacular with 34 points each. But in my opinion, Pierre-Luc Dubois’ production in his sophomore season has been the most impressive – he has 27 points in 32 games.

3. Tomas Tatar – Phillip Danault – Brendan Gallagher

One of the best lines in terms of possession. They control 64% of shot attempts, 65% of scoring chances and 64% of high-danger scoring chances while on the ice. Tomas Tatar is on pace for a career-high 58 points.

4. Jeff Skinner – Jack Eichel – Jason Pominville

This trio has outscored their opponents 18-8. As you probably know, Buffalo’s top line now features Sam Reinhart in Pominville’s spot. In fact, Reinhart has now played more minutes with Eichel and Skinner than Pominville has. It’s interesting to note that the Skinner-Eichel-Reinhart line has outscored their opponents 17-7.

5. Claude Giroux – Sean Couturier – Travis Konecny

This was a line that Dave Hakstol relied on heavily while he was coach of the Flyers, which makes sense considering they controlled about 62% of the shots taken while they were on the ice. Now that Scott Gordon is the new bench boss in Philly, it looks like Giroux and Konecny are playing with Nolan Patrick, while Couturier is playing with Wayne Simmonds and Jakub Voracek.

6. Tyler Johnson – Brayden Point – Nikita Kucherov

They’re an extremely talented line, but there’s nothing too exciting about their possession numbers. Tampa Bay is the only Eastern Conference team to have two players in the top 10 for scoring – Nikita Kucherov sits fourth with 48 points in 34 games, Point sits tenth with 43 points in 34 games.

7. Micheal Ferland – Sebastian Aho – Teuvo Teravainen

Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen are a dynamic duo, and I really want to see what Andrei Svechnikov can do beside them. I say that because the advanced stats suggest that Teravainen and Aho are just as good without Ferland as they are with him. Sure, maybe it won’t work having three offensive studs who lack in the physical department, but considering Ferland is out with a concussion, what do you have to lose?

8. Taylor Hall – Nico Hischier – Kyle Palmieri

Another very good line in the NHL with the numbers to back it up. They control 56% of shots, 58% of scoring chances and 69% of high-danger scoring chances when they’re on the ice. Kyle Palmieri is on pace for 74 points this season. Shooting percentage is a bit high, but that’s still pretty good!

9. Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – David Pastrnak

Patrice Bergeron has played in just 19 of the team’s 34 games, yet he’s still part of the team’s highest scoring line at even strength. David Krejci has been filling in for Bergeron recently, and Boston’s top line has actually seen their possession numbers improve slightly. With that being said, Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak were being trusted more in the defensive zone than Marchand-Krejci-Pastrnak.

10. Carl Hagelin – Evgeni Malkin – Phil Kessel

Carl Hagelin is now in Los Angeles. Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel are still a dynamic duo. They now play with Zach Aston-Reese on their left-wing. The advanced stats don’t exactly favour Malkin, Aston-Reese and Kessel, but hey, Malkin and Kessel have combined for 72 points through 33 games this season. I for one have learned never to question Geno and Phil.