Lining Up

Lining Up: NHL Line Combinations and Deployment Analysis
Welcome to Lining Up, DobberHockey’s dedicated column for analyzing NHL line combinations and their fantasy impact. In fantasy hockey, talent is only half the battle—deployment is the other. This category provides expert analysis on shifting line chemistry, defensive pairings, and power-play units to help you identify which players are gaining the most valuable ice time.

Track the Chemistry That Wins Leagues
A promotion to the top line or the first power-play unit (PP1) can instantly transform a waiver-wire find into a seasonal centerpiece. Our “Lining Up” reports focus on:

Line Shuffles & Auditions: Analysis of mid-game changes and practice line rushes that signal upcoming breakout performances.

Power Play Stacks: Identifying the four-forward and five-man units that maximize scoring potential.

Even-Strength Correlation: Tracking which duos are most effective together to help you “stack” your fantasy roster.

Deployment Shifts: Monitoring offensive zone start percentages (oZS%) and ice time trends for rising stars.

Interactive Line Tools
While our columns provide the “Why,” our data tools provide the “What.” For real-time, interactive data, utilize our industry-leading Frozen Tools:

NHL Line Combination Tool: See seasonal and game-by-game line trends for every NHL team.

Last Game Lines: Get the exact lineup data from the most recent games to stay ahead of the daily news cycle.

Lucas Main pens this weekly article on the hottest, coldest and newest line combinations in the NHL over the past week. Check it out every Tuesday!

Between the Lines – Kessel, Wheeler, Ovechkin and more

By Dobber Sports|2013-04-15T13:03:10-04:00April 15th, 2013|Lining Up|

phil kessel

The hottest line combinations in the NHL - including the Kessel line, the Wheeler line and more

It is the dreaded Week 13. Now superstition does not reign supreme in fantasy but this is a pivotal week. In 12 short days, the fantasy season will all be over. Will it prove to be fruitful for you? Let’s go “Between The Lines” for a little insight.

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Between the Lines – Kessel, Wheeler, Ovechkin and more

By Chris Wassel|2015-07-24T08:57:20-04:00April 15th, 2013|Lining Up|

phil kessel

The hottest line combinations in the NHL - including the Kessel line, the Wheeler line and more

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Between the Lines – Ovechkin, Stepan, Bailey and more

By Chris Wassel|2015-07-24T08:57:50-04:00April 8th, 2013|Lining Up|

AlexanderOvechkin

Wassel takes a look at the hottest line combinations in the NHL

The final three weeks are here. It seems like we just started the season and yet here we are. Do you want to know the hottest line combinations out there? Sure! We all do. Let's get down to business and dig “Between The Lines”...

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Between the Lines – Eberle, Atkinson, Lupul and more

By Chris Wassel|2015-07-24T08:58:14-04:00April 1st, 2013|Lining Up|

JoffreyLupul

Looking at this week's hottest line combos around the NHL...

While some fantasy owners start their quest this week, some others are battling for seeding or a playoff spot at this juncture. It also seems some new line combination made their way to the top of the list in Week 10. The time is now to go “Between The Lines” for some more trio fun.

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Between the Lines – Abdelkader, Latendresse, Wheeler and more

By Chris Wassel|2015-07-24T08:58:40-04:00March 25th, 2013|Lining Up|

BlakeWheeler

There are just a week or two left in the regular season for the head to head leagues. This was one of the few weeks in the season where numbers seemed a little more spread out than usual. It is a strange time with oddities abound so let’s go “Between The Lines once again as we recap Week 9 and head for Week 10.

Between the Lines – Crosby, Carolina, Ryder, and more

By Chris Wassel|2015-07-24T08:59:31-04:00March 11th, 2013|Lining Up|

Crosby USA Today Images

Chris Wassel takes a look at the most productive line combos around the NHL.

The regular season is roaring along at breakneck speed. Scoring was definitely up in Week 7 as 11 different line combinations had ten points or more together. That is quite a jump from the previous weeks where one would see maybe five or six, sometimes less. Now let’s go “Between The Lines” one more time.

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Between the Lines – Neal, Palmieri, Kopitar and more

By Chris Wassel|2015-07-24T08:59:49-04:00March 4th, 2013|Lining Up|

JamesNeal

Taking a look at the hot line combinations from the past week…

The season keeps intensifying. Rotisserie and point leagues are nearing the halfway point as fantasy owners try to make heads and tails out of a season that is truly unrelenting. Will these players continue to produce? Let’s go “Between The Lines” yet again.

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Between the Lines – Boyes, Simmonds, Kessel and more

By Chris Wassel|2015-07-24T09:00:19-04:00February 25th, 2013|Lining Up|

JohnTavares

Looking at the hottest line combos in the league right now, including the Tavares, Kessel and Briere lines...

It was a chaotic fifth week in fantasy hockey that featured quite a few injuries along with some painful lessons. There were some pretty amazing performances mixed in with the usual suspects. This all leads into an even crazier Week 6. Now, we go “Between The Lines”.

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Between the Lines – Boyes, Tlusty, McGinn and more

By Chris Wassel|2015-07-24T09:00:39-04:00February 18th, 2013|Lining Up|

BradBoyes

Looking at some of the hot line combinations of the past week...

It was a crazy week full of injuries including a huge one in Ottawa, where Erik Karlsson is out for the season with a lacerated Achilles. The injury count is up over 100 and in a shortened season, these lines and pairings are tearing it up. Let’s go “Between The Lines”.

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Between the Lines – Buffalo, Kessel is back, and more

By Chris Wassel|2015-07-24T09:01:00-04:00February 11th, 2013|Lining Up|

Cody Hodgson USA Today

Taking a look at some interesting line combos across the league...

It felt like a week perfect for Sidney Crosby until the weekend reared its ugly head. Suddenly the stakes rise a bit and Week 3 featured a new cast of line combinations with some familiar faces along the way. As we head into the middle of February, it is time to go “Between The Lines” once again for fantasy goodness.

Forward March……