Every coach uses the blender.
On nights when things are running smooth, there's an opportunity to invent and experiment with new forward lines and defensive pairings. Sometimes this leads to a spark, potentially changing the outcome, while other times it leads to the discovery of the next dominant line in the NHL.
Some of which should then be exempt from the pureeing process.
Here are five units that have dominated in the NHL this season:
Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak
| CF% | SF% | SCF/60 | SH% | GF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65.0 | 65.6 | 6.37 | 7.48 | 66.7 |
A constant when all three are fit, Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak have come together this season to form a dominant No. 1 line for the Boston Bruins.
Among regular lines, they're the league's top possession unit at 65 percent, and conceding fewer shots than any line.
The quality of their chances hasn't quite measured up to the volume of shots they've put on target. But with a low shooting percentage as a group (even despite Pastrnak's scorching start), we should expect this unit's play to result in a rush of goals.
Sheary-Crosby-Hagelin
| CF% | SF% | SCF/60 | SH% | GF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71.17 | 72.88 | 11.24 | 9.3 | 100 |
Determining who's best fit to flank Sidney Crosby hasn't been as hot a topic of late, the captain's sizzle being omnipresent since the midpoint of last season.
But has the answer all along been as simple as speed?
Patric Hornqvist, Carl Hagelin, and Conor Sheary have been Crosby's primary wingers, with his best numbers coming with the latter speedsters. The Crosby-Hagelin-Sheary unit is up over 71 percent possession, are out-shooting the competition nearly 3-1, and haven't been on the ice for a goal against in 64 minutes at even strength.
This is a small sample, and Crosby's numbers are comparably superb when on a line with Hornqvist. (Let's face it, the data is going to be impressive regardless of who's at his hip right now). But with the speed and finish Sheary possesses, he's brought more upside.
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
| CF% | SF% | SCF/60 | SH% | GF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56.3 | 57.8 | 11.6 | 7.48 | 66.7 |
For another season the Flames are relying on one line. But this year it's the middle-six unit of Mikael Backlund, Michael Frolik, and rookie Matthew Tkachuk driving percentages.
Scoring two goals to one against at evens, the trio have close to identical on-ice rates to the Bruins' top line mentioned above. And at a team-best 56.3 percent, they're not the puck hoarders Bergeron's line has been, but they're creating a higher volume of top-grade chances.
Neal-Johansen-Arvidsson
| CF% | SF% | SCF/60 | SH% | GF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57.9 | 58.8 | 12.16 | 6.25 | 62.5 |
As predicted, Viktor Arvidsson's influence has contributed on a larger scale in an increased role in Peter Laviolette's system.
Ryan Johansen's top-line unit has been at its best with Arvidsson on one side, and either James Neal of Filip Forsberg on the other. It's been Forsberg's turn lately, perhaps in an effort to energize the 30-goal scorer from last season. But the Predators have a reliable option to fall back on.
Neal, Johansen, and Arvidsson created more shots per 60 minutes than any unit with at least 100 minutes at even strength this year, but broke it up before the shooting clip could catch up to the NHL average.
Skinner-Rask-Stempniak
| CF% | SF% | SCF/60 | SH% | GF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53.3 | 54.4 | 13.6 | 15 | 80 |
Conversely, the Hurricanes tweaked their ultra-efficient top line before it could begin to revert.
Jeff Skinner, Victor Rask, and Lee Stempniak were outscoring the competition 12-3 at even strength before Elias Lindholm was bumped up onto the right side in place of the veteran Stempniak.
Those 12 goals (scored on a heavily inflated shooting clip) remain second only to Toronto's second line of Mitch Marner, Tyler Bozak, and James van Riemsdyk.
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