NHL Scratches & Line Changes

Noah Juulsen(D)|FA
Line Change
Line Change
Juulsen will draw back into the Canucks' lineup Tuesday vs. the Islanders.

Juulsen was a healthy scratch for the Canucks first game of their back-to-back Monday but will draw back into their lineup Tuesday vs. New York. The 26-year-old will replace Ian Cole (maintenance) and has yet to score in 26 games in 2023-24, but has two assists, 12 PIMs and 11 SOG.

Source:
Dan Murphy 2024-01-09T22:48:20.113Z
Noah Juulsen
Jamie Drysdale(D)|PHI
Line Change
Line Change
Drysdale is expected to make his Flyers' debut Wednesday vs. Montreal.

Dysdale was traded for Cutter Gauthier is a surprise deal Monday and is expected to make his Flyers' debut Wednesday vs. Montreal as he partners with Travis Sanheim. The 21-year-old offensive defensemen heads to Philly after collecting five points (1G/4A) in 10 games after missing most of the early season due to a tornn labrum injury.

Source:
Adam Kimelman 2024-01-09T22:45:00.397Z
Jamie Drysdale
Dillon Dube(C)|FA
Line Change
Line Change
Dube will be a healthy scratch Tuesday vs. Ottawa.

Dube has been ineffective while playing in all but one game for the Flames so far this season, scoring only seven points (3G / 4A) in 39 contests. His 0.18 point-per-game pace is the lowest of his six-year career and a significant decline over the 0.55 point-per-game pace he had last season.

Source:
Salim Valji 2024-01-09T18:12:24.746Z
Dillon Dube
Yan Kuznetsov(D)|CAL
Line Change
Line Change
Kuznetsov will make his NHL debut Tuesday vs. Ottawa.

Kuznetsov was recalled last week but could not crack the Flames roster and immediately returned to the Wranglers (AHL), where he has seven points (2G / 5A) in 31 games this season. That said, the Flames defensive prospect will make his NHL debut at home on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators.

Source:
Pat Steinberg 2024-01-09T18:11:33.704Z
Yan Kuznetsov
Brandt Clarke(D)|LAK
Line Change
Line Change
Clarke will be a healthy scratch Tuesday vs. Tampa Bay.

Clarke was service in his season debut on Sunday, recording one shot on goal and one hit in 15:43 time-on-ice but will draw out of the lineup in favour of Jordan Spence on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Before his call-up last week, he spent the entirety of this season with the Ontario Reign of the AHL, amassing 32 points (7G / 25A) in 30 games.

Source:
Dennis Bernstein 2024-01-09T17:47:05.284Z
Brandt Clarke
Jordan Spence(D)|LAK
Line Change
Line Change
Spence will draw back into the Kings' lineup Tuesday in Florida.

Spence will re-enter the lineup for the Kings as Brandt Clarke will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday. Before coming out of the lineup on Sunday, Spencer played nearly every game for the Kings over the last three months, scoring 12 points (0G / 12A) while averaging 15:11 time-on-ice through 34 games.

Source:
Dennis Bernstein 2024-01-09T17:43:13.823Z
Jordan Spence
Rem Pitlick(C)|FA
Line Change
Line Change
Pitlick will make his Blackhawks and season debut Tuesday vs. Edmonton.

Pitlick will make his season debut and team debut with the Blackhawks on Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 26-year-old Pitlick has been an effective contributor at the NHL level in the past, scoring 54 points (21G / 33A) in 123 games, but has played exclusively in the AHL thus far this season, scoring 24 points (8G / 16A) in 32 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Source:
Ben Pope 2024-01-09T17:27:25.213Z
Rem Pitlick
Reese Johnson(C)|TOR
Line Change
Line Change
Johnson will be a healthy scratch Tuesday vs. Edmonton.

Taylor Raddysh's return to the lineup has prompted the Blackhawks to make Johnson a healthy scratch on Tuesday. Johnson is averaging 11:20 time-on-ice through 27 games for the Blackhawks this season, scoring two points (2G / 0A) and 56 hits.

Source:
Ben Pope 2024-01-09T17:11:52.824Z
Reese Johnson
Samuel Bolduc(D)|NYI
Line Change
Line Change
Bolduc is expected to be the odd man out of the Islanders' lineup Tuesday vs. Vancouver.

Adam Pelech is expected to make his return to the lineup for the Islanders on Tuesday, making Bolduc a healthy scratch. Bolduc has played each of the last 18 games for the Islanders, registering three points (1G / 2A) while averaging 14:50 time-on-ice.

Source:
Ethan Sears 2024-01-09T15:24:59.965Z
Samuel Bolduc
Sam Malinski(D)|COL
Line Change
Line Change
Malinski will draw into the lineup for Monday's game against the Bruins.

Malinski has had some success with the Avalanche earlier this season and will get another chance to showcase his talents as he was recalled on an emergency basis on Monday. In 14 games with the Avalanche, Malinski has five points (1G / 4A), 15 shots, and 15 blocks.

Source:
Evan Rawal 2024-01-09T01:41:30.566Z
Sam Malinski
John Beecher(C)|BOS
Line Change
Line Change
Beecher will draw back into the Bruins' lineup Monday vs. Colorado.

Jakub Lauko will be a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Beecher to re-enter the lineup for the Bruins. Beecher has six points (4G / 2A) in 35 games this season and is expected to play on the fourth line with Jesper Boqvist and Oskar Steen.

Source:
Fluto Shinzawa 2024-01-08T19:57:27.083Z
John Beecher

NHL Line Changes

NHL line changes are essential in keeping a team’s players fresh on the ice over the course of a hard-fought 60-minute matchup. With shift changes occurring rapidly throughout any given game, we are here to provide you with everything you need to know regarding line changes.

Making sure a team is efficiently making line changes can be essential to their success within a matchup, as it ensures that the players needed on the ice to gain the upper hand are ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice. For NHL daily fantasy hockey players, knowing how to track line changes can be important as you look to keep tabs on the players you’ve drafted to your lineup and their production.

On The Fly

Unlike other sports where play must come to a stop in order to make a player substitution, in hockey, players can switch in-and-out of play on the fly. This helps in keeping the breakneck pace of the contest going, increasing the amount of action from whistle-to-whistle and avoiding any unnecessary stoppages.

On the fly changes are generally done when a team is in possession of the puck and are looking to make a transition play from their own end to their opponent’s side of the rink. Players must be aware of the action around them when making an on the fly substitution as a poorly timed switch could leave themselves vulnerable to an odd-man rush on the other end.

In order to make successful line changes on the fly it is up to the team coaching staff to keep players informed on when their line matchups are due to hit the ice. Generally, with both forwards and defensive pairings, line changes go from the first line trickling its way down to the fourth. Depending on the situation of the game, coaches may opt to give a particular line more playing time, increasing the amount of shifts they receive.

Play Stoppages

NHL line changes can also be made during stoppage of play, with both sides being given the chance to put fresh bodies on the ice ahead of the upcoming faceoff. Examples of a play stoppage that would allow teams to make line changes are after minor or major penalties, offsides, icing, and puck out of play calls. These line changes are often much more calculated as each coach has time to survey the other team and decide what would be the most advantageous line combination that will provide them with a competitive advantage.

Bench Configuration

It may seem like a confusing and unorganized area of the game, but in hockey there is a fair amount of strategy put into the bench configuration within a matchup. With both benches positioned in the neutral zone, making sure that players can quickly hop the boards and get into the game is key to making successful line changes. Benches are generally set so that players entering into the game on the fly are in the best possible position on the ice to fulfill their role.

Generally, a bench in hockey will have the forwards positioned closest to the attacking zone, whereas the defenceman will be situated closest to their defensive zone. This separates the forward lines and defence pairings from on another on each end of the bench so that groups can easily stay together. From here the rested forwards ready to enter into the game will be placed in the centre of the bench, positioned near the coaches so they can easily receive instruction before hitting the ice. This is also advantageous as players coming off the ice for a line change will often enter from the opposite side they came onto the ice from, preventing any unnecessary traffic or confusion when making a change. While each team may have their own preferences on how to configure their bench, these are the most common ways they are run.

Line Change Rules

Understanding the rules of NHL line changes in hockey is an understated part of the game and when used correctly can swing the tide of a matchup in your favour. Without in-depth understanding of line changes in hockey, this can cause costly mistakes that can result in minor penalties, lengthy shifts, or mismatches off a faceoff.

Last Line Change

The last line change rule exists so that the home team is able to make an adjustment to whatever lineup the visiting team decides to roll out after a stoppage in play. This rule was designed to make NHL line changes efficient, as well as provide both sides with the chance to strategically place their players based on the lines sent out by their opponents.

For example, after the whistle, the home team’s coach can elect to make a line change to the personnel on the ice. After that, the visiting coach will send out any new players into the game off of a line change. Thanks to the last line change rule, the home team coach is now granted the opportunity to make one last line change before play resumes to counter whatever line changes were made by the opposing team.

For daily fantasy sports bettors this is where having ample knowledge of each NHL team can come in handy. You can envision how each team may look to gain a competitive advantage over their opponent during a possession, drafting players who are set up for success within a matchup.

Penalties & Infractions

While NHL line changes are meant to be an efficient and simple way to keep the game being played at a fast-pace with minimal interruptions, there is still room for serious error during these substitutions. It’s not uncommon to see teams assessed for a penalty due to a botched line change, resulting in a power play opportunity for the opposing team.

A common penalty called as a result of a poorly executed line change is “too many men on the ice”. This penalty results when the offending team has six or more skaters (including the goaltender) on the ice at any given time and comes in physical contact with the puck. While players entering in the game during a shift change are eligible to hop the boards and get in on the action once their teammate is within five feet of the bench, they must time this correctly or they could be hit with a premature substitution infraction. When a bench minor penalty such as too many men on the ice is assessed, it is up to the team’s head coach to decide who serves the penalty based on the players currently on the ice at the time of the penalty.

Another line change infraction to be aware of is in the case of an icing call. Icing is called when a team plays a puck from their own side of the red centre line across the red goal line in their opponents end. When icing is called, a faceoff will be taken from the end of the team that committed the infraction. During an icing call the team that was called for icing is not able to make any line changes, meaning they are forced to keep all players who were on the ice at the time of the infraction in the contest. Their opponents however are allowed to make any line change they desire, making this an incredibly beneficial call if they can strategize correctly.

How Line Changes Impact Fantasy Hockey

NHL line changes can come fast and suddenly so it can be challenging to keep track of certain players over the course of a matchup. This can make it difficult for avid fantasy hockey managers and sports bettors to know when the players they’ve wagered on are on the ice. Some broadcasts now incorporate various display mechanics that allow for you to see who is on the ice at any given time, making shift change tracking much simpler than ever before. Be sure to stay up-to-date on the jersey numbers of any players on your fantasy roster or that you bet on as a failsafe so that you can find them quickly while watching the action unfold.

Knowing how long a typical shift for a player entering into a matchup is can be an advantageous piece of knowledge for fantasy managers and bettors alike. The longer a player’s shift lasts, the higher their chances of registering a point or other statistical milestone which can help you in winning your fantasy matchups and/or bets placed on a game.