Welcome back to another edition of Lining Up. This week in honour of Valentine's Day, let's look at some of the longest running line combination love affairs around the league. We will also examine some new relationships forming that could prove to be valuable to your fantasy roster this week.

Let's dive in.

Adrian Kempe – Quinton Byfield

With another two points last night, Adrian Kempe is scorching hot lately with eight points in his past three games, bringing him to a 63 point-pace on the season for what would be career year. Kempe has had a long running bromance with Anze Kopitar as he's been lining up with him at even strength for about two-thirds of his time. Prior to this season, Kopitar has been Kempe's Even Strength Best Linemate the last two years as well. They have some history together as Kempe continues to grow as a player and as Kopitar to continues to be consistent offensively as ever. Individually, all underlying analytics are within normal ranges, power-play time and ice time are comparable to last year, shot rates and hit rates are in line as well. Which is to say, nothing about his usage or advanced metrics indicate he is playing above norms so while a four-goal night like he had against Pittsburgh on Saturday is not likely to repeat, continued, reliable production towards a career year for Kempe is not out of the question.

Joining the love affair is the young Quiton Byfield, who has now spent over half of his time at even strength with Kopitar and Kempe. He has two points in his last two games and is receiving secondary power-play time while holding down this prime spot. He is still very young at 20 years old and has so far only shown flashes of his potential but the upcoming schedule could provide short-term dividends. If you are unable to jump on Kempe this week, consider adding Byfield as L.A plays Anaheim and Arizona on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Two ideal matchups for streaming in a player who is receiving excellent deployment at even strength.

Phil Kessel – Chandler Stephenson – William Carrier

Vegas has been floundering since Mark Stone's injury, only winning five of the last 12 games since he went down on January 12^th. However, Vegas has won their last three games and love is in the air. A new relationship is starting between Phil Kessel, Chandler Stephenson and William Carrier who have played well in their brief time together, scoring five goals while only allowing one against and controlling play with a 51.5 CF%. All three players are on hot streaks and doing some heavy lifting in Stone's absence, but William Carrier is leading the charge with eight points in his past seven games. He is not typically known for significant point production but with this recent streak, he is now on pace for a career year of 38 points. Certainly not an eye-popping total but when combined with his two shots and two and a half hits per game, Carrier suddenly finds himself in the territory of someone worth rostering. The injury to Stone has meant that he is suddenly being deployed more favourably and with Chandler Stephenson as opposed to his regular linemates of Keegan Kolesar and Nicolas Roy.

Phil Kessel is also on a hot streak after joining this trio with six points in his last six games. He is having the second worst season of his long career, only one pace for one more point than his rookie year but there is reason for some optimism. Aside from his deployment, his ice time and production have increased since January 12^th. He has eight points in 12 games since then as opposed to 17 in 42 prior to Stone's injury, which is a 55 point-pace compared to a 33 point-pace. His ice time has also increased by over a minute and a half, and he now finds himself with more productive linemates. The days of Kessel being a premier sniper are long behind him, but he is seeing an increased level of production lately with his new found linemates.

With Stone being Stephenson's best linemate and now out for the remainder of the regular season, the concern for his production is warranted. Especially given the fact that Stephenson has been on a career best 71 point-pace so far this season. With four points in his last four games, owners may be able to hold off on pushing the panic button just yet. He is finding some chemistry with Carrier and Kessel while retaining his spot on the top power-play unit. He is the most rostered player out of this trio at 75% owned in Yahoo leagues, but don't sleep on Kessel and Carrier in particular if you count hits and shots, both players are 4% owned.

Ondrej Palat

Another situation where one player's injury is another's gain, Palat has been elevated to the top power-play unit to take over for Hughes and already has two power-play points to show for it. This spot on the power-play, combined with being deployed alongside Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt for the majority of his time at even strength, has allowed for Palat to put together a nice string of production recently with five points in his last three games. New Jersey still has four games remaining this week, if you have a roster spot available or a lesser player from one of several teams who only play twice, scoop up Palat as he is available in 75% of Yahoo leagues.

Thanks for reading.