Good day to all the readers. Aaron here with this week's 'Lining Up'. Using Dobber’s line production tool,  I compiled a list of the  top lines over the last 10 games at even strength. I'll go over that list and talk about the hottest line and the coldest line. Over the last week we had a few players go out with long term injuries. I will look for replacements for those players.

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This is the list I put together of the hottest lines over the last 10 games for each team at even strength. If you scroll all the way to the bottom of the list, you'll also see the coldest line.

As you can see the same Boston line has been up there most of the season, so I don't think I need to bring them up now. It does however look like a new line has risen to the top. Well at least for the last ten games.

Calgary Flames

Mikael Backlund – Andrew Mangiapane – Matthew Tkachuk

This trio for the Calgary Flames has recently been driving their offense right into the playoff picture as they try and hold down the third spot in the Pacific division.

Mikael Backlund

The long-time Calgary Flames veteran has always been a pretty consistent points producer always hovering just over one point every other game. Lately, however, he has been white-hot scoring 19 points in his last 13 games. Eighteen of those points were at even strength. On the season Backlund has 12 goals and 21 assists at even strength. He is currently on pace to finish with just over 50 points, but if he can sustain his current pace, he may be able to get closer to 55 points, which would be a career best. I have always liked Backlund as a secondary scorer or as a replacement player. If you were lucky enough to have grabbed him before his current run of scoring, then I tip my hat to you.

Andrew Mangiapane

Other than having a fun name to pronounce, Andrew Mangiapane really hasn't had much fantasy value over his short career. All that might change as of right now as he is currently hot scoring ten points over his last nine games. His 37-point pace won't make you run to the wire to pick him up, but his short-term output might do if you are in a pinch for some offense. Or if you are trying to pair him with one of his line mates. Right now, he is available in 76 percent of Fantrax leagues so he should be there for you.

Matthew Tkachuk

The one player on this line that is owned in practically every league is Matthew Tkachuk. He should be as well as he is having one heck of a good season. The feisty winger is also hot right now, scoring 18 points over his last 17 games. For the season he is up to 16 goals and 22 assists at even strength. He will also give you almost three shots a game and close to two hits. His scoring pace is a little lower than last year but if he gets to 70 points on the season it would definitely be considered a good fantasy season.

Nashville Predators

Viktor Arvidsson – Matt Duchene – Calle Jarnkrok

I could also put another Nashville line here as both their top-2 scoring lines have been having trouble putting the puck in the net most of the season. This line however is struggling. Over the last 10 games they have combined for four even strength points.

Viktor Arvidsson

The former 30-goal scorer is having trouble putting the puck in the net this year. In 53 games this year he has 11 even strength goals and eight assists. Over his last 19 games he has just three goals. His shooting percentage is down almost three full points and he is seeing about two and a half minutes less per game. I was hoping under new head coach John Hynes he would get a good deployment but it doesn't look like that will happen. Arvidsson is now droppable in most formats. 

Matt Duchene

After combining for 70 points with Ottawa and Columbus last year, Duchene has been just so-so this year. On the season he has just eight goals and 23 assists at even strength. Over his last ten games he has just one goal and four assists. After signing that big contract in the off-season, it sure looks like Duchene pulled a fast one on Nashville.

Calle Jarnkrok

Being put into a position to score this season Jarnkrok hasn't been able to take that next step. He is however on pace to beat his career best of 35 points. He has 12 goals and 12 assists at even strength. His ice time is up and so is his power play time, but it really hasn't resonated this year. So, saying all that I don't think Jarnkrok is worthy of any type of pickup right now and might not be in the future as well.

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As I said above, a few young stars are going to be out long term, so I am going to try and find replacements for their output for the remainder of the season.

Steven Stamkos

The Tampa Bay Lightning lost one of their best last week when Steven Stamkos had to have core muscle surgery. It looks like he will be out for the remainder of the season and some of the playoffs. If you are looking for a player that will flank Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov, the Lightning have added Ondrej Palat to this line. Palat is available in 39 percent of fantrax leagues so if he is available, he may be able to come close to Stamkos' output.

Mark Stone

The Vegas Golden Knights are losing one of their better players for the next few weeks as Mark Stone is going to miss some time with a lower body injury. Chandler Stephenson has replaced him on his line with Max Pacioretty and William Karlsson. Stephenson certainly won't put up the same point per game pace as Stone has for the season but he is available in 86 percent of Fantrax league and he has a triple position eligibility. Another player to look at would be the Calgary Flames Mikael Backlund. He has been hot over his last ten games putting up 13 points. He is available in about 50 percent of Fantrax leagues.

Chris Kreider

Last Week Chris Kreider was signed to a seven-year extension with the New York Rangers. How does Kreider repay his team? Well he blocks a shot with his foot and now it is broken. It looks like he is probably going to miss the remainder of the season. Getting the chance to take his place is Phillip Di Giuseppe. He'll be on the line with Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich. I wouldn't necessarily go out and grab Phillip but instead I would look at someone more like Adam Henrique of the Anaheim Ducks. Over his last ten games he has scored six goals and added four assists. Henrique is available in almost 60 percent of Fantrax leagues so there is a good chance he is out there for you. His dual eligibility is nice also.

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Thanks for reading this week's 'Lining Up'

Aaron