
NHL Power Rankings: Ranking the Top Lines on All 30 Teams
The top line on an NHL team should be the club's most dangerous offensive threat.
However, goals and assists are not the only important stats in hockey—there are two ends to the ice surface.
A well-rounded line should both accumulate points and be on the positive side of the plus/minus category.
I've compiled a list of every first line in the NHL. I've included the total amount of points scored by the lines, the lines' cumulative plus/minus, as well as a combination of the two, which is my basis for ranking them.
30. Ottawa Senators
1 of 30
LW Colin Greening: (2G, 5A, 7 points)
C Jason Spezza: (15G, 26A, 41 points)
RW Bobby Butler: (7G, 4A, 11 points)
Total points: 59
Cumulative plus/minus: Minus-28
Combined points: 32
The Ottawa Senators lineup has been depleted. Daniel Alfredsson and Milan Michalek are injured, and most of the other top-line forwards were traded away for draft picks. This leaves Jason Spezza to play with Greening and Butler, two call-ups. It's been a very difficult year for the team.
29. Edmonton Oilers
2 of 30
LW Magnus Paajarvi: (11G, 16A, 27 points)
C Shawn Horcoff: (9G, 18A, 27 points)
RW Jordan Eberle: (15G, 21A, 36 points)
Total points: 90
Cumulative plus/minus: Minus-20
Combined points: 70
After Dustin Penner was traded and Ales Hemsky and Taylor Hall went down to injuries, the Edmonton Oilers were left without their three top scorers. Shawn Horcoff was performing very well up until he was injured—again. Paajarvi and Eberle are two promising rookies. This makeshift line was not ideal, but the Oilers were forced to roll with the punches. Look for Sam Gagner to replace Horcoff.
28. New York Rangers
3 of 30
LW Vinny Prospal: (4G, 10A, 14 points)
C Erik Christensen: (11G, 12A, 23 points)
RW Marian Gaborik: (20G, 22A, 42 points)
Total points: 79
Cumulative plus/minus: Plus-10
Combined points: 89
The New York Rangers’ entire first line has missed some time this season due to injury. Now healthy, Marian Gaborik is trying to get his game going after underachieving, but Erik Christensen doesn’t seem to fit the top-line center profile. Thankfully for Rangers fans, the second line is picking up the slack.
27. New Jersey Devils
4 of 30
LW Ilya Kovalchuk: (26G, 25A, 51 points)
C Travis Zajac: (13G, 28A, 41 points)
RW Nick Palmieri: (6G, 5A, 11 points)
Total points: 103
Cumulative plus/minus: Minus-11
Combined points: 92
After a disastrous start to the 2010-2011 season, Ilya Kovalchuk and the rest of the New Jersey Devils picked up their game thanks, in part, to coach Jacques Lemaire. Kovalchuk has been on a tear of late and one can only imagine how the Devils top line would be faring if Zach Parise hadn’t gotten hurt.
26. Colorado Avalanche
5 of 30
LW Kevin Porter: (12G, 8A, 20 points)
C Paul Stastny: (20G, 33A, 53 points)
RW David Jones: (24G, 16A, 40 points)
Total points: 113
Cumulative plus/minus: Minus-12
Combined points: 101
The whole Avalanche forward structure was thrown for a loop when Chris Stewart was traded to the St. Louis Blues. Paul Stastny is currently listed as day-to-day with a back injury, and he certainly could not have been happy when the team’s most prolific scorer was sent off. The Avs will need some time to rebuild.
25. Florida Panthers
6 of 30
LW Sergei Samsonov: (13G, 22A, 35 points)
C Stephen Weiss: (21G, 29A, 50 points)
RW Niclas Bergfors: (12G, 23A, 35 points)
Total points: 120
Cumulative plus/minus: Minus-8
Combined points: 112
The recently formed Panthers first line will take the opportunity they have for the remainder of the season. The most important aspect is that Stephen Weiss and Niclas Bergfors develop some chemistry. Bergfors recently scored his first as a member of the Panthers, ending a slump. Their defensive-game is pretty bad and Samsonov probably won’t get re-signed at season’s end, but for now, the Panthers will have to make due.
24. Minnesota Wild
7 of 30
LW Andrew Brunette: (17G, 22A, 39 points)
C Mikko Koivu: (16G, 35A, 51 points)
RW Antti Miettinen: (11G, 19A, 30 points)
Total points: 120
Cumulative plus/minus: Minus-4
Combined points: 116
Mikko Koivu has just returned to the lineup after being sidelined for 11 games with a broken finger. It has been an injury-plagued, disappointing season for the Wild’s first line. The team, in general, lacks punch, an issue that may need to be addressed in the offseason.
23. Buffalo Sabres
8 of 30
LW Thomas Vanek: (24G, 34A, 58 points)
C Jochen Hecht: (12G, 16A, 32 points)
RW Jason Pominville: (17G, 21A, 38 points)
Total points: 128
Cumulative plus/minus: Minus-8
Combined points: 120
It’s been a difficult season for the Sabres as far as injuries are concerned. Jason Pominville missed some time and hampered the Sabres chances at being a strong team all season long. Vanek is a very streaky player. It’s difficult to rank the line among the league’s best, especially since Hecht’s injury on Mar. 13 adds some unwanted questions.
22. New York Islanders
9 of 30
LW Matt Moulson: (30G, 18A, 48 points)
C John Tavares: (26G, 34A, 60 points)
RW P.A. Parenteau: (17G, 30A, 47 points)
Total points: 155
Cumulative plus/minus; Minus-32
Combined points: 123
The New York Islanders first line does not lack offensive firepower, but some work must be done on their defensive game. If they can learn to come back on defense, they may be classed as one of the league’s best lines.
21. Pittsburgh Penguins
10 of 30
LW Chris Kunitz: (20G, 21A, 41 points)
C Jordan Staal: (9G, 13A, 22 points)
RW Tyler Kennedy: (16G, 22A, 38 points)
Total points: 101
Cumulative plus/minus: Plus-25
Combined points: 126
Jordan Staal is a great two-way center, but being the top-line center of the Pittsburgh Penguins may be too much to ask of him. Sidney Crosby skated for the first time since his injury this week. I’m sure that Staal and the Pens cannot wait for the return of arguably the best player in the game. Crosby is obviously a difference-maker. His line immediately becomes one of the league’s best—regardless of his linemates.
20. Nashville Predators
11 of 30
LW Marin Erat: (13G, 30A, 43 points)
C David Legwand: (12G, 22A, 34 points)
RW Joel Ward: (10G, 17A, 27 points)
Total points: 104
Cumulative plus/minus: Plus-23
Combined points: 127
The Nashville Predators have always been a “defense-first” based team. The team’s first line doesn’t really stray from the team’s mantra.
19. Carolina Hurricanes
12 of 30
LW Cory Stillman: (9G, 20A, 29 points)
C Eric Staal: (29G, 34A, 63 points)
RW Tuomo Ruutu: (17G, 30A, 47 points)
Total points: 139
Cumulative plus/minus: Minus-13
Combined points: 126
In reacquiring Cory Stillman, the Carolina Hurricanes brought back an old linemate of Eric Staal’s. The two seem to be meshing while Tuomo Ruutu is putting together a pretty good year. Any line that Staal is playing center on is worth noting.
18. Atlanta Thrashers
13 of 30
LW Andrew Ladd: (26G, 27A, 53 points)
C Bryan Little: (15G, 27A, 42 points)
RW Blake Wheeler: (15G, 21A, 36 points)
Total points: 131
Cumulative plus/minus: Plus-10
Combined points: 141
Blake Wheeler has done a fine job in adjusting since coming over from the Boston Bruins just before the trade deadline, registering eight points in 10 games. Although the general play of the team seems to be plummeting at the moment, the top line shows promise and may improve over time.
17. Montreal Canadiens
14 of 30
LW Michael Cammalleri: (16G, 22A, 38 points)
C Tomas Plekanec: (21G, 32A, 53 points)
RW Jeff Halpern: (11G, 14A, 25 points)
Total points: 116
Cumulative plus/minus: Plus-30
Combined points: 146
Tomas Plekanec and Mike Cammalleri have been very inconsistent this season, but they exhibited flashes of brilliance in their game on Mar. 12 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Both Plekanec and Halpern suffered undisclosed lower-body injuries on Mar. 15 against the Washington Capitals. If they are able to get back into games, let’s see if the line can play up to their potential down the stretch and into the playoffs.
16. Phoenix Coyotes
15 of 30
LW Lauri Korpikoski: (17G, 19A, 36 points)
C Eric Belanger: (12G, 21A, 33 points)
RW Shane Doan: (17G, 36A, 53 points)
Total points: 122
Cumulative plus/minus: Plus-26
Combined points: 146
Shane Doan attempts to lead by example on this line, putting together another solid two-way campaign. It’s difficult to ask for huge numbers on a defensive-minded team, and this line is doing what it can. The Coyotes’ system is working and the team is succeeding.
15. St. Louis Blues
16 of 30
LW Andy McDonald: (17G, 23A, 40 points)
C David Backes: (25G, 27A, 52 points)
RW Matt D'Agostini: (17G, 19A, 36 points)
Total points: 128
Cumulative plus/minus: Plus-31
Combined points: 159
David Backes is one of the best two-way centers in the NHL. The gritty Backes is really helping Matt D’Agostini develop on his line and had Andy McDonald not missed time due to a concussion, we probably would have seen career numbers from him.
14. San Jose Sharks
17 of 30
LW Patrick Marleau: (28G, 29A, 57 points)
C Joe Thornton: (19G, 40A, 59 points)
RW Dany Heatley: (24G, 34A, 58 points)
Total points: 174
Cumulative plus/minus: Minus-12
Combined points: 162
Although they don’t always play together, it only made sense to group the “Big Three” as the Sharks top line. After a very disappointing start to the season, Thornton, Marleau and Heatley all seem to be finding their games at the right time. Hopefully the resurgence of the line can carry through into the playoffs.
13. Columbus Blue Jackets
18 of 30
LW Rick Nash: (29G, 32A, 61 points)
C Antoine Vermette: (16G, 24A, 40 points)
RW Jakub Voracek: (14G, 32A, 46 points)
Total points: 147
Cumulative plus/minus: Plus-15
Combined points: 162
This line really meshes well. Although Antoine Vermette may not be the flashiest center man, he gets the job done with an established superstar in Rick Nash and an emerging, albeit late-blooming, talent in Jake Voracek.
12. Toronto Maple Leafs
19 of 30
LW Clarke MacArthur: (20G, 32A, 52 points)
C Mikhail Grabovski: (27G, 26A, 53 points)
RW Nikolai Kulemin: (26G, 24A, 50 points)
Total points: 155
Cumulative plus/minus: Plus-10
Combined points: 165
As one of the league’s biggest surprises, the Toronto Maple Leafs top line has really been carrying the load this year. The line worked as soon as the newly-acquired Clarke MacArthur was placed on it. Brian Burke will hopefully look to find a center to complement his superstar, Phil Kessel, this offseason, as Tyler Bozak just isn’t working out.
11. Calgary Flames
20 of 30
LW Alex Tanguay: (19G, 38A, 57 points)
C David Moss: (17G, 13A, 30 points)
RW Jarome Iginla: (32G, 38A, 70 points)
Total points: 157
Cumulative plus/minus: Plus-10
Combined points: 167
Jarome Iginla is one of the best players in the NHL. Alex Tanguay fits much better with the Flames than he did with the Tampa Bay Lightning last season. David Moss was doing a good job at replacing the injured Brendan Morrison at center but took a puck off of the foot and is listed as day-to-day.
10. Dallas Stars
21 of 30
LW Jamie Benn: (21G, 26A, 47 points)
C Brad Richards: (24G, 42A, 66 points)
RW Loui Eriksson: (23G, 39A, 62 points)
Total points: 175
Cumulative plus/minus: Plus-19
Combined points: 194
It was inevitable that the up-and-coming Jamie Benn would be placed on the Richards line. Coach Marc Crawford’s experiment with 20-year-old former first-rounder Tomas Vincour didn’t quite work. Back before Richards’ concussion and James Neal was traded, this line was one of the biggest offensive threats in the NHL. Hopefully Benn can step in and reignite the line.
9. Philadelphia Flyers
22 of 30
LW Scott Hartnell: (20G, 23A, 43 points)
C Danny Briere: (31G, 28A, 59 points)
RW Ville Leino: (17G, 31A, 48 points)
Total points: 150
Cumulative plus/minus: Plus-47
Combined points: 197
The Philadelphia Flyers top line has clicked all season long. Ville Leino has emerged as a first-line forward, demolishing his previous point total of 11. Danny Briere is one goal away from his fourth career 30-goal season. This is one of three Flyers’ lines that are scoring on a consistent basis.
8. Anaheim Ducks
23 of 30
LW Bobby Ryan: (32G, 28A, 60 points)
C Ryan Getzlaf: (17G, 40A, 57 points)
RW Corey Perry: (36G, 39A, 75 points)
Total points: 192
Cumulative plus/minus: Plus-7
Combined points: 199
As usual, the Anaheim Ducks top line is one of the most dangerous in hockey. All three members of the line are the perfect balance between size and skill.
7. Detroit Red Wings
24 of 30
LW Henrik Zetterberg: (20G, 51A, 71 points)
C Pavel Datsyuk: (22G, 35A, 57 points)
RW Johan Franzen: (27G, 24A, 51 points)
Total points: 179
Cumulative plus/minus: Plus-22
Combined points: 201
Zetterberg and Datsyuk are two of the league’s elite forwards. Throwing Johan Franzen—a pure goal-scorer—on the line adds a third element which becomes very difficult to defend.
6. Washington Capitals
25 of 30
LW Alex Ovechkin: (29G, 46A, 75 points)
C Nicklas Backstrom: (17G, 38A, 55 points)
RW Mike Knuble: (17G, 13A, 30 points)
Total points: 160
Cumulative plus/minus: Plus-44
Combined points: 204
Even though Marcus Johansson is doing a formidable job as the Washington Capitals first-line center, he is sure to lose his job once Nick Backstrom returns from injury. Alex Ovechkin must smell the playoffs, because he is leading his team with great play on each part of the ice. The Caps top line is overcoming a slow start to be a force to be reckoned with late in the season.
5. Los Angeles Kings
26 of 30
LW Dustin Penner: (23G, 22A, 45 points)
C Anze Kopitar: (25G, 47A, 72 points)
RW Justin Williams: (22G, 35A, 57 points)
Total points: 174
Cumulative plus/minus: Plus-31
Combined points: 205
Justin Williams is regaining the form he once had before injury struck and set back his career. With the acquisition of Penner, the Kings gave Anze Kopitar a goal-scoring option on either wing. When this line begins to fully click, it will be nearly impossible to contain.
4. Tampa Bay Lightning
27 of 30
LW Steven Stamkos: (43G, 43A, 86 points)
C Vincent Lecavalier: (18G, 22A, 40 points)
RW Martin St. Louis: (26G, 59A, 85 points)
Total points: 211
Cumulative plus/minus: Minus-2
Combined points: 209
Steven Stamkos and Marty St. Louis make up one of the best duos in hockey. The two just work together. With sometime-linemates Steve Downie and Ryan Malone down to injuries, Vinny Lecavalier was given the opportunity to play on what has the potential to be the best line in the NHL. He must be having a great time.
3. Chicago Blackhawks
28 of 30
LW Patrick Sharp: (34G, 33A, 67 points)
C Jonathan Toews: (30G, 41A, 71 points)
RW Patrick Kane: (24G, 38A, 62 points)
Total points: 200
Cumulative plus/minus: Plus-19
Combined points: 219
In all likelihood, Patrick Sharp will post career-best numbers this season. Patrick Kane’s point totals would be higher if his ankle injury hadn’t affected his year. Jonathan Toews is the MVP of the line, the team and quite possibly the entire NHL. Arguably the most complete offensive line, but it doesn't rank the highest.
2. Boston Bruins
29 of 30
LW Milan Lucic: (29G, 24A, 53 points)
C David Krejci: (12G, 44A, 56 points)
RW Nathan Horton: (20G, 26A, 46 points)
Total points: 155
Cumulative plus/minus: Plus-73
Combined points: 228
Nathan Horton is a natural fit on the top line with Krejci and Lucic. The line has powered its way through this season, all the while playing an exceptional defensive game. Plus-70? Ridiculous.
1. Vancouver Canucks
30 of 30
LW Daniel Sedin: (38G, 54A, 92 points)
C Henrik Sedin: (18G, 68A, 86 points)
RW Alex Burrows: (21G, 22A, 43 points)
Total points: 221
Cumulative plus/minus: Plus-71
Combined points: 292
The Vancouver Canucks have it pretty good. Brother Daniel leads the NHL in points. Brother Henrik leads the NHL in assists. Alex Burrows is along for the ride, once again putting together a decent season on the same line as the prolific twins.
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