Colorado has two worthy lines that crack the list this week

Most head to head leagues only have two full weeks before the playoffs start. That's right. We are talking playoffs! In the meantime, there are those lines who struck fast during the shortened week. Can they carry that momentum into a full Week 21? It is time to go "Between The Lines"

Lead Us Forwards

Nathan MacKinnon-Gabriel Landeskog-Paul Stastny (Colorado) —  The No. 1 draft pick, Nathan MacKinnon, has been on fire since December 1st. This trio racked up 14 points with Paul Stastny and the rookie garnering five points each with Gabriel Landeskog's four in addition. Colorado can score and there is no question about that as their first line also had two players with five or more points. This is all in a week where the league had only 38 games. Point charts even had an impressive eight points by the Avalanche lead power play unit.

Tyler Bozak-Phil Kessel-James van Riemsdyk (Toronto) — They really are just entrenched on this column every week. Week 20 saw a solid week despite an off performance or two. JVR lead the way with five points and is just enjoying a consistently very good fantasy season. Phil Kessel also chipped in with four points. Remember Toronto only played twice during the shortened week and they have a full slate of games in Week 2, so enjoy the ride and the points.

Jarome Iginla-David Krejci-Milan Lucic (Boston) — They saved their week with a very nice performance against Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers. Milan Lucic led the way for the three with four points and again showed the ability to play physical while displaying above average hands. The top line plays at lower frequency than most first lines but they do get ample chances on the man advantage (32.8% EV, 52.9% PP). Though they have been a bit hit and miss the Krejci line has been more hit than miss at least.

Matt Duchene-Ryan O'Reilly, Jamie McGinn-P.A. Parenteau (Colorado) — The four man power play unit totaled eight points on the week and was a few chances from upping that point total even more. Not surprisingly, O'Reilly and Duchene combined for seven power play points alone. They were also among the top 30 in power play ice time at just a hair above 4:10 per contest. The Matt and Ryan "bromance" as it has been called has clicked ever since it was put together. It does not show any signs of slowing down either ladies and gentlemen. They are must owns from here on out.

Defend This!

P.K. Subban-Andrei Markov (Montreal) — The high risk, high reward duo did lead the way with six points but were both questioned heavily for sloppy play at times. Markov led all defensemen with five points and tied three others with three power play points. Subban was more of the passenger from the offensive standpoint, or I should say decoy. When P.K. Subban fires that one timer, goalies may not run but they certainly have a little hesitation as far as getting in the way. Now if only these guys could get their defensive games together, particularly Subban (rustiness).

Mike Green-Dmitry Orlov (Washington) — If it felt like the pairing had one very good game together, you are not too far off. The Sunday contest against Philadelphia saw Orlov tally two goals while Green had three assists during the 5-4 OT loss. Their charts showed as much but there is one problem going into Week 21. Orlov will be suspended for the first two games of the week after a vicious hit from behind on Brayden Schenn. Needless to say, putting the Russian into your weekly lineup would not be advised and keep an eye to see who Green is paired with.

Tyler Myers-Christian Ehrhoff (Buffalo) — They had four points during Week 20 and it just seemed that Tyler Myers is starting to look a little like the Calder Trophy winner from a few years back. Ehrhoff also has looked better in the last month or so and when paired, they look like a formidable duo. Even their plus/minus was the best it was in six weeks! However, with the amount of trade rumors in Buffalo, there is a slight possibility both players could be traded. It appears like Myers will survive and be permanently paired with Mike Weber. Ehrhoff will likely be traded and has a no trade list (7 West, 1 East). By Wednesday, expect more changes in Buffalo!

As always you can follow me @ChrisWasselTHW and thanks again for reading. Good luck this week as the fantasy hockey world heads toward the fantasy playoffs. I will also answer any trade deadline/fantasy impacts as they come in on Wednesday.

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