Line stability: NHL team rankings
5-on-5 · 2025-26 regular season · Top-3 line TOI%
Share of 5-on-5 time played by the team's three most-used forward lines.
In 2025-26, the Carolina Hurricanes rank 1st in Top-3 line TOI% (5-on-5) at 36.3%, the highest mark in the NHL. The Vancouver Canucks sit 32nd at 9.7%. The league average is 21.8%.
All 32 teams by Top-3 line TOI%
Highest first. Each team links to Top-3 line TOI% on its own stats page.
| Rk | Team | Gap to league average | Top-3 line TOI% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Carolina HurricanesCAR | 36.3% | |
| 2 |  Winnipeg JetsWPG | 33.6% | |
| 3 |  Boston BruinsBOS | 32.6% | |
| 4 |  Montreal CanadiensMTL | 30.1% | |
| 5 |  Tampa Bay LightningTBL | 30.1% | |
| 6 |  Detroit Red WingsDET | 28.0% | |
| 7 |  Minnesota WildMIN | 26.1% | |
| 8 |  Anaheim DucksANA | 24.8% | |
| 9 |  Columbus Blue JacketsCBJ | 24.5% | |
| 10 |  Pittsburgh PenguinsPIT | 24.3% | |
| 11 |  Colorado AvalancheCOL | 24.1% | |
| 12 |  Ottawa SenatorsOTT | 22.8% | |
| 13 |  Buffalo SabresBUF | 22.4% | |
| 14 |  Vegas Golden KnightsVGK | 21.8% | |
| 15 |  New Jersey DevilsNJD | 21.6% | |
| 16 |  Washington CapitalsWSH | 19.8% | |
| 17 |  Utah MammothUTA | 19.3% | |
| 18 |  Chicago BlackhawksCHI | 18.8% | |
| 19 |  Los Angeles KingsLAK | 18.6% | |
| 20 |  Dallas StarsDAL | 18.2% | |
| 21 |  Seattle KrakenSEA | 18.2% | |
| 22 |  Florida PanthersFLA | 18.1% | |
| 23 |  Nashville PredatorsNSH | 18.0% | |
| 24 |  Edmonton OilersEDM | 17.8% | |
| 25 |  Philadelphia FlyersPHI | 17.4% | |
| 26 |  Calgary FlamesCGY | 17.3% | |
| 27 |  New York IslandersNYI | 17.3% | |
| 28 |  Toronto Maple LeafsTOR | 17.0% | |
| 29 |  San Jose SharksSJS | 17.0% | |
| 30 |  New York RangersNYR | 16.7% | |
| 31 |  St. Louis BluesSTL | 14.2% | |
| 32 |  Vancouver CanucksVAN | 9.7% |
- Above league average
- Below
How we calculate team Top-3 line TOI%
We detect every exact forward trio from shift charts and add up the time each spent together. The top three trios' time divided by the team's 5-on-5 time is its stability.
Why it matters for fantasy hockey
Stable teams make projections reliable: a winger glued to a top centre keeps his role. Low-stability teams shuffle lines, so line-mate bumps and drops come often.
How to read it
Higher means the coach keeps trios together. Around 22% is typical; above 30% is very stable and below 15% is a blender.
Limitations
Injuries force line changes, so a low number can be bad luck rather than coaching style.
Go deeper
On each team's pages, Top-3 line TOI% also appears in the Current lines section, linked from its row in Team analytics.
More deployment stats
- Line Watch changesCount of notable deployment changes this season: promotions, demotions and power-play unit moves.
- Ice-time concentrationThe share of the team's game time played by its most-used skater.
- Ascension risersHow many of the team's players are rated Surging or Rising on the latest Ascension board.
FAQ
- Which NHL team ranks first in Top-3 line TOI% in 2025-26?
- The Carolina Hurricanes rank 1st with the highest Top-3 line TOI% in the NHL, 36.3%. The top three: Carolina Hurricanes (36.3%), Winnipeg Jets (33.6%), Boston Bruins (32.6%).
- How are NHL lines detected?
- From the official shift charts: we find which forwards were on the ice together and for how long, not from projected lineups.
- Why does line stability matter for fantasy?
- Players on stable lines have steady roles and linemates, so their production is easier to project.
Ranks are among the 32 current teams; 1st is the highest value. Regular season only, updated through the latest processed games.