NHL Line Combinations

Reading the lines

A forward line is the exact three forwards on the ice together for a team at 5-on-5; a defence pair is the exact two defencemen. Every second of 5-on-5 play counts toward whichever trio and pair were on the ice, so a line's minutes add up only while all three were out together. Units are listed once they reach the window's minimum minutes together (20 minutes for Season, 10 for Last 20, 5 for Last 10), and ranked by minutes together. Pick a team to see its combinations, or All teams to compare across the league.

Windows. Season is every regular-season game so far; Last 20 and Last 10 are each team's most recent games. Season and Last 20 are free; Last 10 is part of Analytics.

Expected goals (xG) are G&W's own: the chance each unblocked shot attempt becomes a goal, added up. A team that creates more xG than it allows is controlling the quality of play, whatever the score said. High-danger chances are G&W's highest tier of scoring chances. Per-60 rates use time on ice from the NHL's shift charts.

Every metric

Line

TOI together (TOI)

5-on-5 minutes with all of these players on the ice. Neither higher nor lower is better.

Games together (GP)

Games in which these players were on the ice together at 5-on-5. Neither higher nor lower is better.

xGF% (xGF%)

G&W expected goals (xG): the chance each unblocked shot attempt becomes a goal, summed. The unit's share of all expected goals. At 5-on-5 while exactly these players were together on the ice. 50% is even. Higher is better.

CF% (CF%)

The unit's share of all shot attempts. At 5-on-5 while exactly these players were together on the ice. Higher is better.

GF% (GF%)

The unit's share of all goals. At 5-on-5 while exactly these players were together on the ice. Higher is better.

HDCF% (HDCF%)

High-danger chances are G&W's highest tier of unblocked attempts by scoring chance. At 5-on-5 while exactly these players were together on the ice. Higher is better.

SF% (SF%)

The unit's share of all shots on goal. At 5-on-5 while exactly these players were together on the ice. Higher is better.

xGF/60 (xGF/60)

G&W expected goals (xG): the chance each unblocked shot attempt becomes a goal, summed. Created per 60 minutes. At 5-on-5 while exactly these players were together on the ice. Higher is better.

xGA/60 (xGA/60)

G&W expected goals (xG): the chance each unblocked shot attempt becomes a goal, summed. Allowed per 60 minutes. At 5-on-5 while exactly these players were together on the ice. Lower is better. Lower is better.

GF/60 (GF/60)

Goals per 60 minutes. At 5-on-5 while exactly these players were together on the ice. Higher is better.

GA/60 (GA/60)

Goals allowed per 60 minutes. At 5-on-5 while exactly these players were together on the ice. Lower is better. Lower is better.

Data: NHL shift charts and play-by-play. Regular season only.