Between the Lines: Week Seven

Chris Wassel

2014-11-18

RyanNugentHopkins

What lines are the hottest heading into Week Seven?

This week saw a sort of return to normalcy. When you really think about it though, it was still insane. Then the numbers started to come in and then the weekend numbers were even better. Now it is time to go "Between The Lines".

Lead Us Forwards

Jori Lehtera–Jaden Schwartz–Vladimir Tarasenko (St. Louis) – KHL chemistry strikes again! This trio had 13 points while together as Jori Lehtera and Jaden Schwartz led the way with six points each and Vladimir Tarasenko had four points along with solid two-way play. As long as the Lehtera-Tarasenko minutes are managed, they are going to produce, especially with a player like Schwartz flanking them. You will be wise to keep them in your lineup until further notice as they are must starts.

Jordan Eberle–Ryan Nugent-Hopkins–Benoit Pouliot (Edmonton) – There is still part of me that thinks this could be a permanent line going forward and it is not a slight to the just returned Taylor Hall. The protection from Benoit Pouliot was helpful as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had five points and the line had 100% point production which means they were on the ice together for all of their points. The sad part for Pouliot owners is that Hall was back on Sunday and sadly this line is aloha for Week 7.

Phil Kessel–Tyler Bozak–James van Riemsdyk (Toronto) – So, they did it again even if Phil Kessel said "get away from me". They always seem to find a way together, especially in man-advantage situations. Even when Nazem Kadri gets into the mix, the above mentioned trio still magically appear on the ice all at the same time. This week it was for eleven points. Randy Carlyle just seems to like this trio better than inserting Kadri. Something tells me the lines will magically jumble towards the same as it ever was. This is no matter what they start out as for those scoring at home. After the Buffalo loss, I guess Carlyle will go with these guys until the ship sinks.

Mike Cammalleri–Travis Zajac–Jaromir Jagr (New Jersey) – Let's face it! Michael Cammalleri is the first line for New Jersey. Travis Zajac is a 2C, maybe even a 3C, but can be effective and Jaromir Jagr is a borderline first-line winger at this stage. Cammalleri helped lead this trio to 11 points in Week Six. They play at a ridiculous nearly 40% EV together because of Adam Henrique's injury. I still wonder if Henrique centered this line what they could do. However, this first line is a pretty good start going forward for those looking a little deeper in leagues.