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!

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Between the Lines – Cleary, Glencross and more

By Chris Wassel|2015-07-24T09:06:32-04:00December 26th, 2011|Lining Up|

Christmas is over ladies and gentlemen. Between The Lines takes care of what was hot before Christmas (Wk of12/17-12/24) and looks ahead to Week 12 in your fantasy league. It is a normal week so let us take a look.

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Between the Lines – Malkin, Benn, Kessel and more…

By Chris Wassel|2015-07-24T09:06:57-04:00December 19th, 2011|Lining Up|

Between The Lines heads into Week 11 with a renewed sense of urgency. We give you the lines that heated up Week 10 (12/10-12/17) that may do the same in this shortened Week 11.

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Between the Lines – Zetterberg, Lucic and more

By Chris Wassel|2015-07-24T09:07:32-04:00December 12th, 2011|Lining Up|

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This week on Between The Lines, we trudge onward and upward. We will give you the lines heating it up and a quick look ahead to the next week. What will be found this week? Let’s find out.

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Between the Lines – Henrique, Tavares, Florida’s 3 and more

By Chris Wassel|2015-07-24T09:08:11-04:00December 5th, 2011|Lining Up|

This week on Between The Lines, we change things up a bit. We will give you the lines heating it up and a quick look ahead. Also, there will be an eye toward anything that may change up those line combinations. Some will be very obvious and some not so much.

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Between the Lines – Moulson, Voracek, Yandle and more

By Chris Wassel|2015-07-24T09:08:49-04:00November 28th, 2011|Lining Up|

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The American Thanksgiving caused some fantasy owners to not be very thankful at all. The jump in injuries this week was troublesome. It is time to take a look at what line combinations may bring for Week 8. Now the gloves truly come off. As always, all frequencies are for the last seven days only.

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Between the Lines – Prospal, Chara and more

By Chris Wassel|2015-07-24T09:09:19-04:00November 21st, 2011|Lining Up|

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Injuries keep occurring. This is why it is essential to look at weekly lineup combination as opposed to monthly or seasonal. The time is now to pay attention when many of your counterparts may not be due to the Thanksgiving holiday. It is time to take a look at what Week 7 may bring.

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Between the Lines – Semin, Cammalleri and more

By Chris Wassel|2015-07-24T09:09:51-04:00November 14th, 2011|Lining Up|

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This week we focus a bit more on the most frequently used line combinations in the last week or so. The middle of November is often when injuries begin spiking badly. There were 119 injuries as of Monday morning which is up from 102 last week. That is nearly a 17% jump which means there may be some new line combinations to keep an eye on. It is time to take a look at what Week 6 has to offer.

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Between the Lines – Backes, Weiss and more

By Chris Wassel|2015-07-24T09:10:27-04:00November 7th, 2011|Lining Up|

Mondays are days that give the feeling of “it is time to go back to work”. For fantasy owners, it is the day of the week that begins with some hope. Line combinations are the fabric of what can make or break your fantasy league experience. Week 5 is now upon us and with the first month gone, it is time to begin digging deeper into those combinations that can cause an uptick in your production. Making the wrong choice can bring one even more fantasy pain however. Choosing wisely is key heading into the beginning of a stretch that has teams playing more often.

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Finding Chemistry: Eric Staal, Matt Duchene and more

By Chris Wassel|2015-07-24T09:10:57-04:00October 31st, 2011|Lining Up|

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Line combinations are the agony and ecstasy in fantasy leagues. General Managers live and die by mix and matches done by NHL coaches since the stone-age, it seems. What we are going to do today (and every week) is analyze various line combinations and pairings to give you the best chance to succeed in your fantasy hockey leagues. Yes injuries will play a role and as the season rolls along those impacts will have a correlation to line combinations.