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Right now, the combination of Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp, flanking Jonathan Toews might well be the best line in hockey. With 14, 15 and 16 points respectively, this line is also a combined +23 for the defending Stanley Cup champs—who have been rocketing up the standings since Joel Quenneville loaded these players together a couple of weeks ago.

For further proof, look no further than last night, when Sharp had four assists, Hossa two goals, and Toews a goal and an assist, in a convincing 5-2 defeat of the Dallas Stars in their building.

The question can be asked if Quenneville has invested too heavily in one line. But a second line featuring Patrick Kane and Brandon Saad is certainly nothing to sniff at and Kane is getting his points too.

Meanwhile the Hawks killed off all 6 Dallas penalties last night, while converting their lone power play on a Kane slap shot.

Do the Hawks look good right now? Yes, very good.

But getting back to the original question of the blog. Is their as good or better line in the NHL right now than Sharp-Toews-Hossa?

I welcome your thoughts, especially fans of other teams.

Meanwhile, the Hawks return home tonight to face the Oilers.

here are the projected lineups:

EDMONTON
Taylor Hall Sam Gagner Ales Hemsky
David Perron Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Jordan Eberle
Jesse Joensuu Boyd Gordon Mark Arcobello
Luke Gazdic Ryan Smyth Nail Yakupov

Andrew Ference Jeff Petry
Anton Belov Philip Larsen
Nick Schultz Taylor Fedun

Devan Dubnyk


CHICAGO

Patrick Sharp Jonathan Toews Marian Hossa
Brandon Saad Brandon Pirri Patrick Kane
Bryan Bickell Andrew Shaw Jeremy Morin
Brandon Bollig Marcus Kruger Ben Smith

Duncan Keith Brent Seabrook
Johnny Oduya Niklas Hjalmarsson
Nick Leddy Michal Rozsival

Corey Crawford



All for now,


JJ

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