Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Best line in the NHL?

November 2, 2018, 1:35 PM ET [8 Comments]
HockeyBuzz Hotstove
RSSArchiveCONTACT
Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell

Todd Cordell

Boston's top line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak.

For years they have dominated their opponents on a nightly basis. Be it shot attempts, scoring chances, or goals, they usually come out on top.

Since the beginning of 2016-17, they have controlled 60.64% of the shot attempts and 59.43% of the goals at 5v5. Those are insane numbers, especially when you consider they hard-match against the opposing team's elite talents on home ice. That can't be said about quite a few top lines.

These guys are smart, they can dominate in the cycle game, they're not afraid to be physical, and they possess high-end puck skills. I think they're the best, and most complete, line the league has seen in a while.

Honorable mention goes to the Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, Viktor Arvidsson line. Their numbers are right there with Boston's top unit and they don't get enough credit for how good they are.

Peter Tessier

I'm biased here because I'm a Jet blogger but damn Mackinnon, Landeskog and Rantanen are good. While they're not Corsi darling at 5vs5 they are amazing nonetheless and in all situations they are 24 GF and 8 GA. At even strength they are 17-7.

This is a deadly trio and one that is of course in the Central to go along with Dallas, Winnipeg and Nashville for depth of top line talent. They are running a wildly unsustainable PDO streak but that might have more to do with goaltending as shooting percent at 5vs5 is only 13%. Whatever the case that line should give defenders nightmares and more than a few headaches to head coaches.

James Tanner

I think the best line in the NHL is Bergeron, Pastrnak, and Marchand. They play great defense, always have the puck and they score a ton. They have finesse, grit and they can play every kind of game, whether they run and gun, cycle it, or they have to protect a lead.

They have the advantage that almost all other teams split up their best players onto multiple lines rather than just have one crazy line.

I don't know of another team in the league that plays all three of their best forwards together, so I'd say this is sort of the best one by default. Maybe more teams should try it.

I'd really like to see McDavid, Nugent Hopkins, Draisaitl, and I'd also like to see Matthews, Tavares, Marner.

One reason the Boston line really stands out though is not just because its three of the best players in the world on one line, but that they all seem to compliment each other so perfectly.

Recent posts

​Which head coach should most be on the hot seat?

How many Canadian teams will make the playoffs?

Stanley Cup predictions

Predicting the Central Division standings

Predicting the Pacific Division standings

Predicting the Metro Division standings

Predicting the Atlantic Division standings
Join the Discussion: » 8 Comments » Post New Comment
More from HockeyBuzz Hotstove
» Thoughts On The Matthews Extension
» Predicting Points For Connor Bedard
» Will McDavid and Draisaitl Stay in Edmonton?
» Thoughts On The Karlsson Trade
» Thoughts on the Tom Wilson Contract Extension