Welcome to this week's 'Lining Up'.  Since last time we've seen Carolina beat both of last years' Cup finalists, St. Louis start up the Blues steamroller, and the New York Rangers continue to stumble through the season like a defenseman who got punched in the face…

It was also a good week for a few of the players that we highlighted last time.  Carter Verhaeghe (still only 18 percent owned) put up four more points (3G,1A) in four games, Jordan Kyrou added three goals and an assist in his three games.  Denis Gurianov racked up another goal and four assists over four games.  And Lastly, Miles Wood knocked in two goals and had two assists in his four games.

Let's turn to this week's crop of possibilities.  Just a reminder about the ground rules here.  The players below have relatively low ownership in Yahoo leagues (below 40 percent).  They are also skating with quality teammates on top lines for their teams.  With that in mind, let's get our shifts together:

LU First Line – You know that situation that happens where you put on a pair of pants or a coat that you haven't worn since last season, and you find some money inside the pocket?  That's who these guys are, found money from an old pocket:

• Vincent Trocheck CAR – C (34 percent owned) – Trocheck has had a very good start to the season, though it has been a bit disjointed with the Canes missing four postponed Covid games early on. He is three years removed from his 31-goal, 75-point season with the Panthers, and it has been a struggle in the points department for him since then.  Perhaps his new home in Carolina is just what he needed as he is drawing rave reviews from coach Rod Brind'Amour, who said "He's been great… (you) can't say enough about it" after Trocheck scored two goals Saturday night.  So far this year Vincent has six points (4G,2A) in six games, with three PPP.  He also has three games with five SOG, and is averaging three per game.  He is currently playing on the Canes' second line, as well as the first power play unit.
• Pavel Buchnevich NYR – RW (27 percent owned) – Pavel is off to a very solid start despite some rocky times for the Rangers so far. He now has seven points (2G,5A) in nine games, while averaging 2.8 SOG and just over 20 minutes TOI per game.  New York's lines have been somewhat of a kaleidoscope with all the changes, but most recently Buchnevich has been rewarded by getting time on the top power play unit, picking up a PPP Saturday night.  Last year he had 46 points in 68 games.  He looks like he could be on pace to top that this year.  Even though it hasn't been the best start to the year for the Rangers, they still hold the promise of that team everyone was hyping before the season, and if they start to turn things around, Buchnevich will be right in the middle of it.
• Brandon Saad COL – LW,RW (22 percent owned) – Saad has underwhelmed some fantasy owners over the past few years, but now finds himself in Colorado as part of a team that can drop a seven-spot on you without breaking sweat. Brandon has been doing his part, posting five goals and three assists in 10 games.  He is on the Av's second line with Nazem Kadri and Andre Burakovsky, and also has recently been getting second power play time, picking up a PPP this past Saturday.  We'd like to see him shoot more, and his average TOI is a bit low at 14:12, but so far he is making the most of his opportunities.  Keep an eye on the MacKinnon situation and how that will affect Saad's line mates and ice time.

LU Second Line – Remember how crisp, clean, and fresh smelling those bills were that your Grandma would give you inside your birthday card?  These guys are like that new money, just waiting to pile up in stacks for your fantasy team:

• Nils Hoglander VAN – LW,RW (16 percent owned) – Remember when the season started and everyone got super excited about Nils, and then he didn't do much for a while and tanked in fantasy ownership? Well it's time to start taking notice of him again. In general, the Canucks offense is regularly lighting the lamp right now, and Hoglander has had five points (2G,3A) in his last seven games.  He also has been shooting more with 10 SOG over his last four games.  It is hard to say if this production will continue, but what is good to see is the hustle is there for Nils, and it also seems like Vancouver is going to be filling the net a lot this year. He is currently playing on the second line with Bo Horvat and Tanner Pearson, as well as Vancouver's second power play unit.

• Jordan Greenway MIN – LW,RW (18 percent owned) – Is it finally time for the breakout that has been prophesized for the past couple of years about Greenway?   He has 10 points (2G,8A) in 10 games.  He's been playing with Joel Eriksson Ek, who has also been hot to start the year.  Greenway has been described as playing more "angry" this year, and he definitely isn't afraid to mix it up when needed.  He has as many PIM as SOG so far this campaign (14).  The Wild forward lines are really in flux right now with a suspension to Kevin Fiala and a few key injuries as well.  While the third member of the Greenway/Eriksson Ek line seems to change nightly, as long as those two keep up the gritty play, he could help prop up those scoring categories for you.  One downside to picking up Greenway is that he generally does not see power play time right now.
• Martin Necas CAR – C,LW (eight percent owned) – Necas is someone that we have had our eye on for a few weeks. He is on Carolina's second line and their second power play, so he is definitely in the mix of their potent offense.  Martin didn't jump out of the gate to start the season, and then there was a week of postponed Covid games.  But in the last three games he has three points (1G,2A), eight SOG, and seems to be finding his stride.  Necas is a former first rounder who is known for his speed, and lately has been really rounding out his game.  Last year he had 16 goals in 64 games.  Look for him to step that up this year.  He's a sneaky pick up in a deeper league, or a good DFS streamer when you need it.

LU Third Line – Every once in a while you decide that it is time to do a deep clean of your living room.  You dust, you organize, you straighten, and you vacuum.  And as you are almost done you decide to vacuum the couch, and when you pull up the cushions you find a hoard of coins.  These guys are just hiding out under the cushion waiting for you to pick them up and cash in:

• Paul Stastny WPG – C (23 percent owned) – Stastny has six points (2G,4A) in his last five games. The Jets offense has been flexing its muscle lately and Stastny playing in the top six has been reaping rewards for fantasy owners.  Paul Maurice decided to shuffle his wingers Monday night, putting Kyle Conner and Blake Wheeler together with Stastny (instead of Copp/Ehlers).  It's hard to say if this combination will stick or not, but regardless Stastny continues to play with Winnipeg's top power play unit, and who doesn't want a piece of that?

• Jason Zucker PIT – LW,RW (23 percent owned) – For the first couple of weeks of the season, Zucker's numbers were ugly. He had one assist in six games while playing with Evgeni Malkin and mostly Bryan Rust.  This line's slow start has been well documented.  Now Kasperi Kapanen has joined Zucker and Malkin, and it looks like there is life on Pittsburg's second unit.  Over the last four games Zucker has four points (3G,1A) including a goal Monday night.  He is definitely worth keeping an eye on, and if you have limited options go for it.  In addition to owners still feeling a bit skeptical about his line in general, Zucker also has no PPP on the year, though he is on the Pens' second unit.  One the bright side, he will average 2.8 hits per game for you if your league counts that category.

• James Neal EDM – LW,RW (4 percent owned) – We'll admit, we are totally influenced by Neal's two-goal night on Sunday. But it's tempting to think of what could be here.  First of all, Neal is on the first power play unit, and one of his goals Sunday was a PPP.  He missed Edmonton's first five games due to Covid issues, but he has 17 SOG in his six games back.  Also consider that the Oilers have been throwing everyone but the trainer up on the first line with McDavid and so far nothing has stuck.  It's not hard to imagine Neal getting his turn soon, or at least moving into the top six.  Keep this in mind when you see Neal creeping onto the score sheet more and more.

LU Banger Line – Sometimes as a fantasy owner you can't count on your high draft picks to go in the tough areas and bring back all of the category points that you want.  The guys in this section are all about the peripheral scoring.  They will drink your opponent's milkshakes, and maybe steal their lunch money as well:

• Tyler Motte VAN – LW,RW (40 percent owned) – Motte has a great combination of hits (52) and blocks (15) over his first 11 games. In fact, he is the league leader for hits among forwards, and he is also tied for second among forwards in blocks.   Motte also has five goals, an assist, and 26 SOG so far this season.
• Brandon Tanev PIT – LW,RW (39 percent owned) – Tanev is second in the league in hits among forwards (51), while also netting three goals and an assist on the year. If you just need to win that hits category and you can sneak Tanev in your lineup, he may just do the job for you.
• Boone Jenner CBJ – C,LW (15 percent owned) – Sunday night Jenner scored a goal, had three SOG, four hits, and three blocks. Will he do that every night, no.  But he is tied for second among forwards for the league lead in blocks (15), while also having six points (3G,3A) on the year.  If you need multi category help, you could do a lot worse than Jenner.

That's it for this week.  Hit me up on Twitter @RinkmanHockey.  Stay safe and good luck!