NHL Line Combinations & Time on Ice
Actual player pairings based on NHL shift data. See who plays together and for how long.
Browse Line Combinations by Team
Select a team to view their current line combinations, power play units, and penalty kill pairings.
🏒 Actual Line Combinations (from NHL Shift Data)
Player pairings calculated from real game shift data showing who actually plays together.
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NHL Line Combinations FAQ
How often are NHL line combinations updated?
Our line combinations are updated daily based on actual NHL shift data from recent games. Unlike projected lines, this data shows real player pairings and time on ice from official NHL sources.
What do PP1, PP2, and Even Strength lines mean?
PP1 (Power Play 1) is the primary power play unit that gets the most man-advantage ice time—these players see the best scoring opportunities. PP2 is the secondary unit. Even Strength lines are used during regular 5-on-5 play. For fantasy hockey, PP1 players are significantly more valuable due to increased point production.
Why do line combinations matter for fantasy hockey?
Line combinations directly impact a player's fantasy value. Players on the top line or PP1 get more ice time and play with better linemates, leading to more goals, assists, and shots. A player promoted to PP1 can see their fantasy production double, while a demotion to PP2 or the third line significantly reduces their upside.
What is Time on Ice (TOI) and why does it matter?
Time on Ice (TOI) measures how many minutes a player spends on the ice per game. Elite forwards typically see 18-22 minutes, while top defensemen get 22-26 minutes. Higher TOI means more opportunities for points, shots, hits, and blocks. Tracking TOI trends helps identify players gaining or losing coach trust.
How do I identify line promotions and demotions?
Watch for changes in a player's linemates and TOI. A forward moving from the third line to the top line, or being added to PP1, is a promotion. Signs of demotion include reduced ice time, being scratched from power play units, or dropping to lower lines. Our shift-based data shows these changes as they happen in actual games.
What's the difference between projected lines and actual lines?
Projected lines are predictions based on training camp, practice reports, or pre-season expectations. Actual lines come from real game data showing who played together. Coaches frequently adjust lines mid-game or between games, so actual shift data is more accurate for fantasy decisions than pre-game projections.
Which NHL teams run two strong power play units?
Some teams split power play time more evenly between PP1 and PP2, making their PP2 players more valuable. Check each team's power play time distribution in our data. Teams with elite depth (like Colorado, Edmonton, or Toronto) often have productive second units worth targeting in fantasy.
How do injuries affect line combinations?
Injuries create opportunities for line promotions. When a top-six forward or PP1 player gets injured, someone moves up. Our shift data updates daily, so you can quickly identify which players are benefiting from increased roles due to injuries and target them in fantasy before others notice.
What makes a good fantasy hockey streaming target?
Look for players recently promoted to top lines or PP1, especially if they're still available in your league. Players on teams with many games that week, combined with favorable line placement, make ideal streaming targets. Our line combination data helps you find these under-the-radar opportunities.
How do NHL coaches decide line combinations?
Coaches consider chemistry between players, matchup advantages against opponents, recent performance, and special teams needs. Some coaches stick with set lines, while others frequently shuffle combinations. Understanding a coach's tendencies helps predict which line changes might stick versus temporary experiments.
What is the Ascension Engine and how does it work?
The Ascension Engine is our proprietary algorithm that identifies players who are trending upward before they become widely recognized. It analyzes multiple factors: TOI trending (comparing recent games to season average), power play time changes, penalty kill usage, elite player proximity (how much ice time they share with team stars), and production trends. Players are classified as "Hot", "Rising", "Stable", or "Cooling" based on their ascension score.
How can the Ascension Engine help me win my fantasy league?
The Ascension Engine helps you identify breakout candidates before they appear on everyone's radar. A player whose TOI has increased 15% over the last 5 games, who just got added to PP1, and is now skating with the team's top scorer is showing strong ascension signals. By the time their stats catch up, they'll be rostered everywhere. The Ascension Engine spots these trends early so you can add them first.
What does "elite player proximity" mean for fantasy hockey?
Elite player proximity measures how much ice time a player shares with their team's top performers. When a depth forward suddenly starts skating with Connor McDavid or Nathan MacKinnon, their fantasy ceiling skyrockets. The Ascension Engine tracks these pairing changes using actual shift data, identifying players who are getting more exposure to elite talent—a leading indicator of future production.
How do I spot a breakout player in fantasy hockey?
Look for the leading indicators: increased TOI (especially power play time), promotion to top lines, pairing with elite players, and improved underlying metrics like shot attempts and scoring chances. These changes often precede point production by 1-2 weeks. Our Ascension Engine combines all these factors into a single score, making breakout candidates easy to identify.
What's the difference between ascending and descending players?
Ascending players are seeing increased ice time, better linemates, and expanded roles—their fantasy value is growing. Descending players are experiencing the opposite: reduced TOI, demotion from power play units, or being moved to lower lines. Identifying descending players on your roster early lets you trade them before their value drops, while spotting ascending players on waivers gives you a pickup edge.