Top 10 NHL Lines

Two brothers and Mosienko have been all small in stature. None of them weighed greater than 160 kilos, however they may all skate just like the wind. Max was a playmaker, successful two Art Ross trophies and a Hart trophy. Doug, the older brother performed a extra well-rounded recreation. Mosienko, who nonetheless holds the document for scoring three objectives within the span of 21 seconds, had the knack for locating and creating open ice.

Though they only spent two full seasons together, they have been the league’s highest scoring line each years.

The unnamed Sedins Line – Vancouver Canucks (2008-12)

Alex Burrows-Henrik Sedin-Daniel Sedin

Despite enjoying collectively for many of seven seasons and being the very best line in Canucks historical past, this line by no means earned a real nickname. The puck-cycling Swedish Sedin Twins had a knack for figuring out the place the opposite was with out wanting, whereas Burrows added physicality and power.

In their time collectively, each Twins have received an Art Ross Trophy and an MVP award (Hart for Henrik, Lindsay for Daniel). Burrows has been no slouch both, scoring a career-high 35 objectives for the membership in 2009-10, and scoring massive objectives within the crew’s march to the 2011 Stanley Cup Final.

At his Ring of Honour ceremony in 2019, Burrows had some form phrases for his linemates. “Special thank you to Hank and Danny [Henrik and Daniel Sedin], you guys are the best,” said Burrows. “Obviously I want to thank you guys for all those backdoor tap-ins you guys gave me, but more importantly you guys always believed in myself and you guys have no idea what it meant to me, so thank you very much. You guys are living legends, future Hall of Famers, and obviously the best role models I could ever ask for, so thank you very much.” 

During their 4 seasons collectively, the franchise had its most profitable period of their historical past. They received 4 division titles, two Presidents’ Trophies and made it to Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final.

The LCB Line – Philadelphia Flyers (1974-1981)

Reggie Leach-Bobby Clarke-Bill Barber

The LCB line vaulted the Flyers to a Stanley Cup of their first and second season collectively and went to the Finals a number of extra instances earlier than their separation. In 1975-76, the road notched 141 objectives (Leach 61, Clarke 30, Barber 50), setting an NHL document for objectives by a single line.

The (unnamed) Line – Washington Capitals (2007-09)

Alex Ovechkin-Nicklas Backstrom-Alex Semin

Ovechkin, some of the prolific aim scorers the sport has ever seen, mixed with a fellow a Russian and a Swede. Ovi’s 65-goal season in 2007-08 nonetheless stands as his profession finest. This line mixed for 571 factors of their two seasons collectively. Not too shabby.

The Party Line – Chicago Blackhawks (Nineteen Eighties)

Steve Larmer-Denis Savard-Al Secord

Savard led the Blackhawks in scoring seven straight seasons together with 5 100-point campaigns. The Party Line set a team-mark of 197 factors in 1982-83 with Larmer successful the Calder Trophy {hardware} because the league’s prime rookie.

The harmful line by no means received a Cup in Chicago, however Savard and Larmer hoisted the trophy after leaving the Windy City. Savard received with the Tampa Bay Lightning (1993) and Larmer with the New York Rangers (1994).

The Finnish Sandwich – Edmonton Oilers (1983-1988)

Jari Kurri-Wayne Gretzky-Esa Tikkanen

Wayne Gretzky may make any line productive. But when Kurri and Tikkanen, two Fins, flanked him, the whole line was unstoppable. When put collectively in 1983, the Oilers dominated the league and broke the NHL document for many objectives by one crew in a season (446). Gretzky tallied 205 factors and led the crew to a staggering 57 wins in 80 video games.

The explosive Oilers groups of the Nineteen Eighties are the one ones to interrupt the 400-goal mark, doing it 5 straight seasons between 1981-82 and 1985-86. They received 4 Stanley Cups within the span of 5 years, among the best runs by any crew in league historical past and it was largely because of this trio.

The GAG Line – New York Rangers (1964-1974)

Vic Hadfield-Jean Ratelle-Rod Gilbert

The GAG Line, brief for ‘goal-a-game,’ scored… lots. Though they by no means received a Stanley Cup, they reworked the Rangers into contenders. Their demise was Bobby Orr and the Boston Bruins who defeated them a number of years within the playoffs together with in 1972. That season, the trio managed 312 factors– the very best scoring line in crew historical past. They completed 3-4-5 in scoring, behind the Bruins’ Phil Esposito (133) and Bobby Orr (117).

Gilbert completed among the many prime 10 scorers within the league 4 instances (he additionally made the highest 10 the yr after the road dissolved) throughout his tenure on the GAG line and Ratelle scored no less than 32 objectives 5 instances.

The Legion of Doom – Philadelphia Flyers (1994-97)

John Leclair-Eric Lindros-Mikael Renberg

While the Broad Street Bullies have been an intimidating crew within the Seventies, this trio was simply as scary to play towards twenty years later. They have been named after a gaggle of DC comedian villains headed by Lex Luthor. Leclair (6-foot-3, 226), Lindros (6-foot-4, 240) and Renberg (6-foot-2, 235) have been an imposing mixture of playmakers and punishers.

The line was formed in 1994 and led the Flyers to their first division crown in eight years. In a span of three seasons collectively, the Flyers have been legit contenders. They made it to the Eastern Conference Final twice (1994-95, 1996-97) and the Stanley Cup Final as soon as (1996-97).

The Dynasty Line – Montreal Canadiens (Seventies)

Steve Shutt-Peter Mahovlich/Jacques Lemaire-Guy Lafleur

Though this line was initially dubbed the Dynasty Line, Shutt known as it the Donut Line as a result of it had no agency heart.

Peter Maholich sometimes took Lemaire’s place at heart. The speedy Lafleur, hard-nosed Lemaire and opportunistic Shutt helped the Canadiens win 5 Stanley Cups, together with 4 straight, beginning in 1995.

The Grind Line – Detroit Red Wings (1996-98)

Darren McCarty-Kris Draper-Joey Kocur/Kirk Maltby

The Grind Line was tough, gritty and not afraid of anything. They have been far more than a checking line, routinely chipping in offense in addition to shutting down prime scorers from the opposition.

Related: Red Wings’ All-Time Greatest Lines

More than something, although, they introduced vitality on each shift, harassing opponents. Not surprisingly, the gamers have been a part of the final 4 Stanley Cups received by the crew within the Motor City.

The Scooter Line – Chicago Blackhawks (Sixties)

Doug Mohns-Stan Mikita-Ken Wharram

While Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita put up astronomical numbers with the Blackhawks, they weren’t even linemates. Mikita centered the Scooter Line, with Wharram and a revolving winger (Ted Lindsay, who was changed by Ab McDonald and later Mohns).

Wharram performed components of 14 NHL seasons, all with the Hawks, and scored no less than 20 objectives in seven consecutive seasons from 1962-69. He was a member of two All-Star groups and was recognized for his pace as a skater.

The dominant scoring line was featured in their own “History Will Be Made” commercial that aired in the course of the 2010 NHL Playoffs.

The Century Line – Pittsburgh Penguins (1972-1976)

Lowell MacDonald-Syl Apps, Jr.-Jean Pronovost

This mixture was some of the explosive items ever, averaging 100 objectives and 233 factors per season. While that they had super success, the Penguins solely certified for the playoffs twice and by no means made it previous the second spherical.

They have been initially known as “The MAP Line”–a play on the primary letters of their final names. Pronovost was the child brother of Hall-of-Fame defenseman Marcel Pronovost. He had nice pace and positive fingers. MacDonald was riddled with knee accidents and plucked from the Los Angeles Kings within the 1970 Intra-League (waiver) Draft. Apps, the son of his legendary father, was a late bloomer.

The line had a chemistry the place they only knew the place the opposite guys have been going to be. “Lowell and I couldn’t shoot the puck any more than 15 feet; that’s why we did a lot of passing,” Apps told Joe Starkey in Tales from the Pittsburgh Penguins. “Plus, Lowell couldn’t see that far. I think he had a worse shot than I did, but, boy, could he pick his spot. We were a little bit of a throwback in that we didn’t dump the puck and we used a lot of drop passes.”

A crew publicist dubbed them The Century Line after scoring over 100 objectives in the course of the 1973-74 season. They lived as much as the title after which some. For the following two years, the trio ranked among the many most deadly mixtures within the league. After tallying a powerful 94 objectives in 1974-75—together with a team-best 43 by Pronovost—the unit exploded for 114 objectives in 1975-76. Pronovost (52 objectives) and Apps (99 factors) completed among the many league’s prime ten scorers, whereas MacDonald potted 30 objectives.

The line scored 100+ objectives and 200+ factors for 4 straight seasons. As a four-time All-Star, Pronovost stays fifth on the membership’s all-time listing in objectives (316) behind some fairly choose firm—Mario Lemieux, Sidney Crosby, Jaromir Jagr and Evgeni Malkin.

The Top 10 Lines in NHL History

It’s practically not possible to rank traces from totally different eras, so fairly than slighting one over the opposite, we current our Top 10 Lines.

The Kraut Line – Boston Bruins (1936-42, 1945-47)

Woody Dumart-Milt Schmidt-Bobby Bauer

This trio was initially known as The Sauerkraut Line, then shortened to the Kraut Line. These three gamers have been of German descent and all hailed from Berlin, Ontario, which modified its title to Kitchener after World War 1. The forwards completed 1-2-3 in scoring in 1940 and received two Stanley Cups (1939 and 1941). For apparent causes, as World War 2 got here on, they modified their title to the Kitchener Kids.

All three members of the road joined the Royal Canadian Air Force for World War II, however returned to the Bruins afterwards. In their ultimate recreation, earlier than flying to serve for the Royal Canadian Air Force, the trio notched 22 factors in a lopsided 8-1 victory over Montreal.

In a unbelievable act of kindness and real admiration, that night time, Canadiens gamers really hoisted the three Bruins onto their shoulders and skated them round a rink in festivity.

The MPH Line – Chicago Blackhawks (1968-75)

Pit Martin-Jim Pappin-Dennis Hull

The Chicago entrance workplace initially wished this line to characteristic the older Hull brother, Bobby, however when he held out, they gave the spot to his little brother, Dennis.

In their seven seasons collectively, the MPH Line piled up over 1,300 factors – setting a crew document for factors in a season (272 in 1972-73) – and helped fill the offensive void left by Bobby Hull’s departure to the WHA in 1972.

This effectively revered trio was even voted because the starters within the 1974 All-Star Game collectively, and have been launched at that All-Star recreation (and skated onto the ice) collectively. They have been as unimaginable offensively as they have been defensively.

“It was really special for us,” Hull says. “We were recognized by the rest of the team as one – the MPH Line from the Blackhawks. As we were being introduced, Jimmy told the TV guys that we didn’t want to be introduced individually. I think that’s the only time that’s ever happened.”

“We seemed to be the perfect line because each of us knew what our job was,” defined Hull. “Everybody knew what they were supposed to do. Pit was fast and good with the puck; Jimmy was a great playmaker; and I could shoot. We each did well and we wanted each other to succeed as well.”

The Sky Line – Pittsburgh Penguins (1990-94)

Mario Lemieux-Jaromir Jagr-Kevin Stevens

Lemieux and Jagr have been arguably essentially the most electrical duo of their period. Stevens gave them an added edge, hanging worry into goalies each time they took the ice. In their first two seasons, they led the Pens to back-to-back Stanley Cups. The line didn’t keep collectively too lengthy, as Lemieux battled off the ice with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma for a yr and Stevens was traded away the next season. Short lived, however undoubtedly dominant.

The Triple Crown Line – Los Angeles Kings (1979-84)

Charlie Simmer-Marcel Dionne– Dave Taylor

Named after the crew emblem (the King’s Crown), and tied with the affiliation of horse racing’s final accomplishment, this regal line was a drive on the ice.

It was shaped in January 13, 1979 and immediately became one of the league’s most prolific units. That night time Dionne scored 4 objectives and the crew simply beat the Red Wings, 7-3. They’re the primary trio to every rating 100 factors in the identical NHL season. During the 1979-80 season, the road produced 146 objectives and 328 factors.

The threesome averaged a whopping 219 factors per season of their seven seasons collectively.

The Punch Line – Montreal Canadiens (1942-48)

Toe Blake-Elmer Lach-Rocket Richard

These guys, assembled by Habs head coach Dick Irvin, have been known for their offensive punch. And perhaps just a little extra in case you received on the Rocket’s incorrect facet.

In 1943-44, the threesome piled up 220 factors and set an NHL document that didn’t fall till the Sixties. The famed trio completed 1-2-3 in scoring the next season.

In all, the trio helped the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup twice (1944 and 1946) earlier than a damaged leg pressured Blake to retire in 1948. Lach set an NHL single-season document in 1944-45 with 80 factors in a 50-game schedule. Many of his 54 assists got here on objectives by Richard, who units an NHL document with 50 objectives in 50 video games. They’re some of the well-known traces in Montreal Canadiens historical past.

The Stastny Brothers – Quebec Nordiques (1981-85)

Peter Stastny-Anton Stastny-Marian Stastny

When three brothers type a line, it’s fairly simple to call it. It’s one other to cease it. The forwards defected from Czechoslovakia and have become one of many league’s most fun and profitable scoring traces. Their success helped fast-track the acceptance of European gamers within the NHL.

In 1980-81, the season earlier than Marian arrived, Peter set NHL rookie data for assists (70) and factors (109) whereas successful the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year (1980). Anton was no slouch, including a powerful 39 objectives and 85 factors. In one recreation towards Washington, the 2 brothers scored eight factors every, setting a brand new NHL street document.

Once Marián arrived the trio took the NHL by storm, amassing 300 factors in 1981-82. He had a red-hot rookie season, placing up 89 factors. A devastating shoulder harm ended his season early the next yr.

There was just one participant who rating extra factors than Peter Stastny within the Nineteen Eighties: Wayne Gretzky. He constantly led the crew in scoring. Anton put up 636 factors in 650 games-the third highest in Nordiques historical past. While the Stastnys put up spectacular numbers, they struggled within the playoffs. Twice they made it to the Conference ultimate, shedding to the New York Islanders in 1982 and the Philadelphia Flyers in 1985.

Surprisingly, the Stastnys weren’t the primary line of brothers within the NHL. Max, Doug and Reg Bentley performed for the Chicago Blackhawks (Nineteen Forties) and Barclay, Bob and Bill Plager performed for the St. Louis Blues (Seventies).

Long Island Lightning Company / The Trio Grande – New York Islanders (1977-87)

Mike Bossy-Bryan Trottier-Clark Gillies

Named after the native utility and recognized for always lighting up the aim mild behind the online, this line won the Cup four straight years (1979-83). They will in all probability be the final to ever accomplish that. Bossy was a pure sniper, Trottier was a playmaker and Gillies was a rugged, bodily participant who labored the corners.

In 1977-78, Bossy set a document with 53 objectives poured in 69 in his second season. Trottier additionally had a banner yr of their second season collectively; he led the league in scoring and was named league MVP. Gillies established himself as a frontrunner and a big scoring risk with 4 consecutive years scoring 30 or extra objectives (1975-1979). He scored 319 objectives and 378 assists for 697 factors – superior totals for an “enforcer” – whereas amassing 1,023 PIMs in 958 common season video games.

Bossy, Gillies and Trottier are all members of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The Russian Five – Detroit Red Wings (Nineteen Nineties)

Slava Kozlov-Igor Larionov-Sergei Fedorov-Vyacheslav Fetisov-Vladimir Konstantinov

Why cease at three gamers? This Russian quintet was a powerhouse that dominated the NHL with precision passing, pace, slick playmaking and objectives that would go away your jaw on the bottom. They have been aggressive however performed a full 200-foot recreation.

Assembled by head coach Scotty Bowman, the unit helped led to the Wings successful all of it in 1997. Though tragedy struck Konstantinov with a devastating career-ending harm, the opposite 4 Russians helped the crew repeat as champions the next season.

The French Connection – Buffalo Sabres (1972-79)

Rick Martin-Gilbert Perreault-Rene Robert  

Named after the 1971 Academy Award-winning movie, these three excellent French Canadien gamers dazzled the upstart Sabres within the early years of the franchise. They have been a mixture of pace, finesse and sheer expertise.

In their first full season collectively, they completed one-two-three in crew scoring and took the Sabres to the franchise’s first journey to the playoffs. Two years later, in 1974-75, they carried the Sabres to a very magical Stanley Cup run, which fell two wins wanting the prize.

The Production Line – Detroit Red Wings (1947-52)

Ted Lindsay-Sid Abel-Gordie Howe  

These guys may produce factors with the identical consistency because the then-booming Detroit automotive manufacturing traces.

Red Wings head coach Tommy Ivan took over the crew in 1947 and put kids Howe and Lindsay on a line with future Hall of Famer Sid Abel. The trio, who spent further time after observe working collectively, had super chemistry confirmed on ice and instantly paid dividends.

The Production Line led the Red Wings to 2 Stanley Cups (1950 and 1952), whereas successful three Art Ross trophies amongst them. In the 1949-50 season, they swept the scoring race, ending one-two-three in scoring. Howe and Lindsay completed one-two 4 extra instances.

Even extra unimaginable, is that over 11 seasons, all three members completed within the NHL’s prime 20 in scoring. The scoring trio received 4 Cups, have all been inducted into the Hall of Fame and had their numbers retired.