Hello everyone and welcome to the latest edition of Lining Up! I'm Eli Feldman.

Although today is April Fools' Day, make no mistake about it – this time of year is no joke. Considering you're reading an article focused on recent line changes around the NHL, chances are you zealously manage one of the few teams still alive in your hockey pool. Hats off to you!

With under 10 games remaining per team in the 2024-2025 NHL regular season, it's essential to keep an eye out for the latest lineup trends and changes around the League. Much like the Stanley Cup, hockey pools are generally notwon by relying on top-tier talent alone, but by supplementing top-tier talent with lesser-known players who prove invaluable on the path to championship glory. 

With this in mind, let's look at a few key players trending up this week.    

Jackson Blake

Considering picking up Jackson Blake? Here are some interesting facts about him: Jackson Blake was drafted 109^th overall in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft; Jackson Blake ranks 10^th in average ice time among Hurricane forwards this season, averaging under 14 minutes of TOI per game; and Jackson Blake has recorded 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) in 73 games this season, an 82GP pace of merely 31 points.

Still considering picking up Jackson Blake? Here are some other interesting facts about him: Jackson Blake is currently playing on Carolina's top forward line alongside All-Stars Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis, as well as on the Hurricanes' top power-play unit; Jackson Blake has generated 29 high danger unblocked shot attempts this season, more than Nick Suzuki and Connor Bedard combined; and Jackson Blake currently ranks 36^th among forwards in expected goals per 60 minutes (1.25), just ahead of Leon Draisaitl, William Nylander, Cole Caufield, and Matt Boldy.

Advanced statistics aside, any player occupying a spot alongside two All Stars on a Stanley Cup-contending team should be on your radar.

Sam Colangelo

Lately, the fantasy hockey world has been abuzz about sophomore sensation Leo Carlsson – and for good reason. Over his past 10 games, Carlsson has recorded an impressive 12 points, while his ice time has skyrocketed from under 13 minutes (on March 11 against Washington) to over 20 minutes (this past Sunday against Toronto).

As the 2^nd overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Carlsson has undoubtably earned the feathers in his helmet and promises to do damage for years to come. But this isn't about Leo; it's about a different highflying forward with a three-letter name.

Although Sam Colangelo (no relation to Jerry and Bryan) has only played 23 games so far this season, he has clearly impressed Ducks Head Coach Greg Cronin, who has entrusted Colangelo with right wing duties on the Ducks' top forward line alongside Trevor Zegras and Mason McTavish. Despite losing to the powerhouse Toronto Maple Leafs this past Sunday, the Zegras-McTavish-Colangelo line more than held its own, generating 14 chances and six shots for, while yielding only eight and two against, respectively.

Along with taking care of business at even strength, Colangelo was elevated to Anaheim's top power-play unit against the Leafs after Troy Terry exited the game following an unfortunate head-on-head collision with teammate Frank Vatrano. While Terry looks good to go for Tuesday night's tilt against the lowly Sharks, Colangelo's prominent spot in the Ducks' pecking order makes him worthy of your consideration.

With seven games over the remaining fantasy week and next, Sam Colangelo might fit the bill.

William Karlsson

If you are a Lining Up regular, you know that players outside the top six rarely (if ever) receive recognition. After all, aside from a select group of bottom-six forwards, typically only those on scoring lines achieve (and maintain) consistent fantasy hockey relevance. Every so often, however, even golden rules have exceptions.

Exactly two months after suffering his second injury of the 2024-2025 season, William Karlsson returned to Vegas' lineup on March 20 and settled back into a bottom-six role. Despite registering an assist in his return, Karlsson's fantasy ceiling hung low due to his bottom-six status and exclusion from the Golden Knights' top power-play unit. But just two games after returning, Karlsson's ceiling blew off entirely following an injury to teammate Tomas Hertl. During the three games Hertl has missed so far, Karlsson has joined Vegas' top power-play unit, recording two power-play assists and four assists in total.

While any player elevated to a top power-play unit immediately becomes a Lining Up candidate, Karlsson's situation is unique because Vegas' power play has been remarkably effective this season. And by remarkably effective, I mean historically effective: the Knights' 30.8% power-play conversion rate currently ranks fifth all-time behind only the 2022-2023 Edmonton Oilers, the 1977-1978 Montreal Canadiens, and the 1977-1978 and 1978-1979 New York Islanders.

With Hertl ruled out for the remainder of the week, William Karlsson could be your knight in shining armour.

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Here are some other notable power-play deployment developments making headlines over the past week:

• Leon Draisaitl has reclaimed his typical spot on Edmonton's top power-play unit after returning from injury;
• Minnesota experimented with a five-forward top power-play unit last night against New Jersey, consisting of Marcus Johansson, Mats Zuccarello, Gustav Nyquist, Matt Boldy, and Frederick Gaudreau;
• Luke Evangelista is playing on Nashville's top power-play unit while Jonathan Marchessault is out day-to-day with an injury;
• Vincent Trocheck is playing on the Rangers' top power-play unit over J.T. Miller;
• Ridly Greig is playing on Ottawa's top power-play unit while Brady Tkachuk is out with an injury;
• Ville Koivunen is playing on Pittsburgh's top power-play unit while Evgeni Malkin is out with an injury;
• San Jose went back to its five-forward top power-play unit last game, consisting of Tyler Toffoli, William Eklund, Will Smith, Macklin Celebrini, and Alexander Wennberg; and
• Kaapo Kakko is playing on Seattle's top power-play unit over André Burakovsky.

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That's all for this week! Stay tuned for the next edition of Lining Up next Tuesday, April 8. Until then, have a great week and best of luck to all!