Puck Prose
Fansided

NHL Line Combinations for 2016-17 (Metropolitan Division)

By Ryan Ritchie

Sep 21, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Travis Konecny (80) during a preseason game against the New York Islanders at PPL Center. The Flyers defeated the Islanders, 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Travis Konecny (80) during a preseason game against the New York Islanders at PPL Center. The Flyers defeated the Islanders, 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 8
Next
NHL Line Combinations: New York Rangers left wing Jimmy Vesey (26) skates against New Jersey Devils left wing Vernon Fiddler (38) during the first period of a preseason hockey game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Line Combinations: New York Rangers left wing Jimmy Vesey (26) skates against New Jersey Devils left wing Vernon Fiddler (38) during the first period of a preseason hockey game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

NHL Line Combinations for 2016-17 – Training Camps are Coming to a Close as Teams Face Those Final Crucial Roster Cuts. Now, With Only 7 Days Until the New NHL Season, Depth Charts Begin to Take Form. Projected Lines/Defensive Pairings in the Metropolitan Division

Moving on with the season preview, we turn our focus to NHL line combinations for all 30 teams. Since we’re only seven days away from a brand new season, prospective opening night rosters are becoming much clearer. At this point, most teams are making those final decisions and rosters should start to take shape in the final couple preseason games.

Sticking with the Eastern Conference, we move over to the Metropolitan Division. The Washington Capitals not only won the division but took home Presidents’ Trophy honors in 2015-16. Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins will look to challenge the Caps after a strong second half that carried into the postseason. You could also throw the Islanders, Rangers, and Flyers in the mix to challenge in the division. Meanwhile, Carolina, New Jersey, and Columbus are simply hoping to avoid the lottery draft once again.

*It’s worth noting these are simply early NHL line combinations for how things might shake up on opening night/early on in the season.

NHL Line Combinations in 2016-17 (Metropolitan Division)

Oct 3, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Philipp Grubauer (31) celebrates with teammates after their game against the St. Louis Blues at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Philipp Grubauer (31) celebrates with teammates after their game against the St. Louis Blues at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Washington Capitals

Alex Ovechkin – Evgeny Kuznetsov – T.J. Oshie
Andre Burakovsky – Nicklas Backstrom – Marcus Johansson
Zach Sanford – Lars Eller – Justin Williams
Tom Wilson – Daniel Winnik – Jay Beagle
xs: Brett Connolly, Stanislav Galiev

Karl Alzner – Matt Niskanen
Dmitry Orlov – John Carlson
Brooks Orpik – Madison Bowey
xs: Nate Schmidt

Braden Holtby – Phillip Grubauer

It seems Zach Sanford is likely to earn a roster spot on opening night based on his preseason performance. If he disappoints early on, Burakovsky would slide down into the 3lw slot, Marcus Johansson would shift back over to the left side at 2lw, Justin Williams would slide up to the 2rw slot, which makes room for Brett Connolly on that third line.

Don’t be surprised if Madison Bowey starts the year in Washington. This defensive group wasn’t good enough in the playoffs and could benefit from Bowey’s ability to create offense and move the puck efficiently.

Home/Metropolitan