Ranking the 10 Best 3-on-3 Combinations in the NHL

At the general managers meetings in Boca Raton, Florida, on Tuesday, it was announced that three-on-three overtime was approved. The GMs will recommend playing either five minutes of three-on-three instead of the current four-on-four format, or adding two more minutes of three-on-three to overtime in an effort to have fewer games decided by shootouts.

The change must be approved by the competition committee and board of governors, but there's a chance we will see three-on-three overtime in one form or another during the 2015-16 season.

Which teams will ice the best three-man combinations?

Glad you asked, because that's exactly what will be listed here.

Very likely, teams will go with two forwards, preferably one center and a defensemen. With that in mind, here are the 10 best three-on-three combinations coaches could use in overtime next season.

10. Ottawa Senators: Bobby Ryan, Kyle Turris, Erik Karlsson

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The one player who would benefit the most from the extra room afforded by three-on-three is Erik Karlsson, who could probably play all two minutes if that's the format selected.

With Karlsson potentially skating circles around defenders, Bobby Ryan and Kyle Turris would benefit the most. They are both headed for 20-goal seasons, but if three-on-three OT becomes a five-minute reality, those numbers have the potential to rise next season.

9. Calgary Flames: Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, Mark Giordano

Gerry Thomas/Getty Images

This group would've featured a Norris Trophy winner next season if Mark Giordano didn't suffer a season-ending injury this season. Giordano's two-way skills would be the backbone of this tough unit.

Johnny Gaudreau can skate like the wind, and Sean Monahan brings size and hands. With Gaudreau entering his second full season and Monahan his third, they'll be even tougher to handle in 2015-16.

8. N.Y. Islanders: Kyle Okposo, John Tavares, Johnny Boychuk

Gregg Forwerck/Getty Images

John Tavares leads the league in scoring with 72 points, and Kyle Okposo has 14 goals and 44 points in 49 games, as a detached retina interrupted his season. The two have been regular linemates for a while now and bring chemistry to the trio.

Johnny Boychuk, meanwhile, brings a bomb of a slapshot from the point and the ability to cover his own zone. He has seven goals this season, four on the power play.

7. Anaheim Ducks: Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, Sami Vatanen

Harry How/Getty Images

Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf have been running partners for years, and Sami Vatanen has 12 goals and 34 points in 57 games this season. Good luck stopping these three in the offensive zone.

Perry and Getzlaf have 51 goals and 111 points this season, although they have combined for just one goal in overtime. Maybe a little more room will result in a few more goals.

6. Vancouver Canucks: Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Alexander Edler

Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images

Henrik and Daniel Sedin have been magical together at five-on-five with a revolving door of wingers and have been just as fun to watch at four-on-four. Adding Alexander Edler to the "line" would continue the fun for the Canucks.

The Sedins may have lost the smallest of steps this season, but they still have a combined 118 points in 68 games. Edler's numbers are down a bit, but he's still the best offensive threat on the team.

5. Los Angeles Kings: Tyler Toffoli, Jeff Carter, Drew Doughty

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Anze Kopitar and Marian Gaborik are usually two-thirds of the Kings' top line, but Jeff Carter and Tyler Toffoli would be far tougher to defend in a three-on-three situation with Drew Doughty on the back end.

Carter and Toffoli have combined for 44 goals this season while Doughty will receive strong consideration for the Norris Trophy. 

4. Dallas Stars: Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, Trevor Daley

Terry Renna/Associated Press

Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn have comprised two-thirds of one of the league's deadliest scoring lines the past two seasons, while Trevor Daley is a smooth-skating defenseman who can be effective at each end of the ice.

Seguin and Benn combined are averaging nearly a point per game while Daley is tied for third among goals by a defenseman with 16 this season. Maybe John Klingberg could replace Daley in this group, but Daley is the better defender and has very good offensive skills.

3. Washington Capitals: Alexander Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Mike Green

Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Is John Carlson a better overall defenseman than Mike Green? Sure. But Green is better suited for the open-ice game at the offensive end, so he gets the nod here.

As for Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, you've heard of those guys, right? One of the greatest goal scorers in NHL history and the center who makes a lot of the goals happen? Yeah, these three would be tough to defend.

2. Chicago Blackhawks: Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

This trio brings two Conn Smythe trophies and two Norris trophies to the ice, making it about as solid a threesome in the league 

Patrick Kane was on his way toward a scoring title before breaking his collarbone last month, Jonathan Toews plays an exceptional 200-foot game and Duncan Keith is also dangerous at both ends. The Blackhawks are deep enough that Marian Hossa can't even crack the top three.

1. Pittsburgh Penguins: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Coach Mike Johnston will probably keep Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin separated in most instances but when that duo is united with Kris Letang, it will be the most feared trio in the NHL.

Crosby and Malkin are the game's best offensive players, and Letang is perhaps the second-best offensive defenesman behind Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators. They have a combined 61 goals and 191 points in a combined 190 games this season.

Other trios worth mentioning:

Colorado: Gabriel Landeskog, Matt Duchene, Tyson Barrie

Detroit: Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Niklas Kronwall

Minnesota: Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu, Ryan Suter

Montreal: Max Pacioretty, David Desharnais, P.K. Subban

N.Y. Rangers: Rick Nash, Derick Brassard, Keith Yandle

Philadelphia: Jakub Voracek, Claude Giroux, Mark Streit

St. Louis: Vladimir Tarasenko, Jori Lehtera, Kevin Shattenkirk

Tampa Bay: Ryan Callahan, Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman

San Jose: Joe Pavelski, Joe Thornton, Brent Burns

Nashville: Filip Forsberg, Mike Ribeiro, Shea Weber