Ranking the Oddest Line Combinations in the NHL Today

NHL coaching staffs spend countless hours in search of line chemistry. A shooter, a passer and someone who can retrieve the puck and help cycle are often the requirements and those things placed together can pay dividends.

There are times when an unusual combination of skills work when placed together. Fans and commentators may take notice but if it works it's likely to appear often.

Here are six NHL line combinations that may appear miscast but seem to be working.

6. Arizona Coyotes: Mark Arcobello and Sam Gagner Make Magic

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What Is The Line Combination? The Arizona Coyotes have been looking for chemistry all year long and found it in two former Edmonton Oilers. Although the combination hasn't been together long there are encouraging signs.

How Often Are They Together? Since Arcobello arrived, the two have played around 100 minutes together at even strength.

Why Is It Unusual? Gagner and Arcobello are both undersized and neither player is a speed demon. It's uncommon for an NHL team to marry similar talents—right-handed centers with quality passing ability—onto the same line. It's unknown how long they'll stay together but it seems to be working. Their most common line mate is another small forward, Tobias Rieder.

5. Montreal Canadiens: Dale Weise on the Top Line

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What Is The Line Combination? The Montreal Canadiens often run energy winger Dale Weise on a line with sniper Max Pacioretty and playmaker David Desharnais. 

How Often Are They Together? Weise has played over 270 even-strength minutes with Pacioretty and over 200 with Desharnais. They are his most common line mates on the team.

Why Is It Unusual? Weise is a bottom-six forward in that he possesses average offensive skills. It's a move that may have been inspired by a need to infuse more depth onto the roster but it may also limit the offensive output of sniper Pacioretty. It'll be interesting to see if Weise continues to play this role during the playoffs.

4. Los Angeles Kings: Dwight King on a Line with Jeff Carter

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What Is The Line Combination? The Los Angeles Kings have been dealing with injuries all season. One of their adjustments involves using Dwight King on a line with offensive dynamo Jeff Carter. 

How Often Are They Together? King has played over 780 minutes at even strength this season, with almost 300 of those minutes spent with Carter.

Why Is It Unusual? King is a big winger and a physical force, best suited for a checking or energy line. He has skill but isn't an obvious choice for employment on an NHL team's top two lines. His nine points with Carter suggest he might be able to play a complementary role for Los Angeles. The most often used third player is Tyler Toffoli.

3. Anaheim Ducks: Patrick Maroon with Ryan Getzlaf

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What Is The Line Combination? The Anaheim Ducks switch out wingers for Ryan Getzlaf at a dizzying rate. One of the most unusual choices is Patrick Maroon, who played over 350 AHL games before catching on as an NHL regular in 2013-14.

How Often Are They Together? Maroon plays just about half of his even-strength time with Getzlaf and a significant amount of time with Corey Perry.

Why Is It Unusual? Maroon is a role player who lacks the dynamic offensive pedigree associated with being a top line player. Getzlaf's range of skills—he's a 200 foot player—mean the Ducks have the freedom to employ one-dimensional talents on his line and still get production. The result is a very deep forward group for Anaheim.

2. Washington Capitals: Tom Wilson and Jay Beagle on Alex Ovechkin's Line

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What Is The Line Combination? Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom are inseparable as Washington Capitals. At even strength, the two men have had a variety of line mates, including Tom Wilson and Jay Beagle.

How Often Are They Together? Wilson has played at even strength with the top duo half of his time on ice in that discipline. Beagle has played less time with Ovechkin and Backstrom, but the 100 even-strength minutes are significant.

Why Is It Unusual? Ovechkin is a sniper and a puck-carrier, Backstrom is a sublime passer who can also carry the puck into the offensive zone. A typical line mate might be a big man with size who can win board battles or drive to the net and create chaos. Wilson is an enforcer and Beagle is a big man who can check—in both cases unusual choices for a top line in the NHL.

1. Detroit Red Wings: Darren Helm on Pavel Datsyuk's Line

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What Is The Line Combination? The Detroit Red Wings are going through a period of transition. Among the changes: longtime teammates Pavel Datsyuk and Darren Helm on the same line.

How Often Are They Together? Helm has played over 700 minutes this season, about half of it with Datsyuk.

Why Is It Unusual? Datsyuk is a complete player but has been relied on as a top offensive center for years—he leads the Red Wings in points this season. Between 2008 and 2014—according to HockeyAnalysis.com—the two played just over 60 minutes together at even strength. The two have been very effective in tandem this season, most often with Tomas Tatar.