NHL Scratches & Line Changes

Stephen Weiss(C)|FA
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Weiss expected to be a healthy scratch in the Red Wings season opener.

After a terrible debut season with the Red Wings due to injuries, it looks like 2014-15 will start on a sour note. Weiss will take a seat while the younger players like Andrej Nestrasil will get a look. The Red Wings are expected to be patient with Weiss as he continues to work his way back from sports hernia surgery.

Source:
Ansar Khan 2014-10-08T13:03:46.000Z
Stephen Weiss
Andrej Nestrasil(RW)|
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Andrej Nestrasil will make his NHL debut on Thursday.

Nestrasil, 23, was selected by the Red Wings in the third round (75th overall) in 2009. He scored 16 goals and 20 assists (36 points) in 70 games with the Red Wings last season and had a great preseason. The 6-foot-2, 210 lbs. forward will start on a line with Darren Helm and Gustav Nyquist, but will need to make a strong first impression if he wants to stay with the team after Pavel Datsyuk returns from his shoulder injury.

Source:
@DetroitRedWings 2014-10-08T13:01:21.000Z
Andrej Nestrasil
Ryan Johansen(C)|PHI
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Johansen is a far from a guarantee to play in Thursday's season opener.

Johansen joined the Blue Jackets for his first practice of the season on Wednesday morning and he reportedly did not look sharp at certain point of the skate. That is to be expected from a player who missed the entire preseason, but with all the injuries in Columbus right now, it would be surprising to not see Johansen in the lineup. Even a Ryan Johansen at 75% is likely still their top centre right now.

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Shawn Mitchell 2014-10-08T12:34:22.000Z
Ryan Johansen
Brayden Schenn(C)|STL
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Schenn will skate on the Flyers top-line with Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek.

When Scott Hartnell was traded this summer, the big question was "who will fill that spot on the Flyers top line?" There were four candidates, Brayden Schenn, Wayne Simmonds, Matt Read and R.J Umberger. For now, that spot will belong to the 23-year-old Schenn. He had 20 goals and 21 assists (41 points) in 2013-14 and now has even more upside playing with one of the leagues top setup men.

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Dave Isaac 2014-10-08T11:55:55.000Z
Brayden Schenn
Ryan Johansen(C)|PHI
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Johansen is on the ice for the Blue Jackets practice Wednesday morning.

Johansen's status for Thursday's game is up in the air, but after spending Tuesday trying to get from Canada to Columbus, his presence on the ice is a positive sign for his availability tomorrow. There will be a ton of pressure on Johansen in the early part of the season, because of the contract dispute and the injuries Columbus is already dealing with.

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Rob Mixer 2014-10-08T10:37:21.000Z
Ryan Johansen
Anthony Duclair(LW)|NYI
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Duclair has made the Rangers and will be in their opening day lineup.

Duclair, 19, was the Rangers third round pick (80th overall) in 2013. He had a great training camp after posted 50 goals and 49 assists (99 points) in 59 games with the Quebec Remparts (QMJHL). He will start his NHL career on New York's third line with J.T Miller and Lee Stempniak.

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Pat Leonard 2014-10-07T16:18:38.000Z
Anthony Duclair
Martin St. Louis(RW)|FA
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St. Louis will start the season at centre with Derek Stepan on IR.

St. Louis is expected to centre the Rangers top-line with Rick Nash and Chris Kreider while Derick Brassard centres the second line and stays with Mats Zuccarello and J.T Miller and Dominic Moore round out the group of centres. St. Louis volunteered to play centre, so it will be interesting to see how he is able to make the transition after years of playing on the wing.

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Pat Leonard 2014-10-07T16:15:08.000Z
Martin St. Louis
Jiri Sekac(LW)|
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Jiri Sekac, 22, has made the Montreal Canadiens.

Sekac was highly coveted in free agency after three years overseas. He had 11 goals and 17 assists (28 points) in 47 games with Prague Lev (KHL) last season. In the preseason he had two goals on eight shots while averaging 12:47 TOI in five games.

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Priyanta Emrith 2014-10-07T15:38:52.000Z
Jiri Sekac
Liam O'Brien(C)|UTA
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Liam O'Brien, 20, made the Capitals despite being passed over twice in the draft.

O'Brien had 20 goals, 15 assists and 148 PIMs in 68 games with Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL) last season. At 6-foot-1, 205 lbs. O'Brien brings size and a physical brand of hockey to the Capitals and he has a legitimate chance at cracking the starting lineup on opening day.

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Chris Johnston 2014-10-07T15:30:52.000Z
Liam O'Brien
Evgeni Malkin(C)|PIT
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Malkin (lower-body) will likely start the season on the wing with Brandon Sutter Pascal Dupuis.

Malkin who has played centre for the vast majority of his career is expected to start the season on the wing under new head coach Mike Johnston. Malkin is still questionable for Thursday's season opener, but when he gets in the lineup, be prepared to see him on the wing.

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William DePaoli 2014-10-07T13:44:56.000Z
Evgeni Malkin
Matt Dumba(D)|PIT
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Dumba to start the season on the Wild's top power-play unit.

Dumba, 20, played 13 games with the Wild last season before being sent back to juniors. He has cracked the Wild opening day roster and will play on the third pair with Christian Folin, but will also lineup on the top power-play unit next to Ryan Suter. If he can lock this spot down, he makes for a great pick-up and sleeper candidate. The second-year D-man has a ton of offensive talent, evidenced by his 24 points (8G / 16A) in 26 games with the Portland Winterhawks (WHL) last season.

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Chad Graff 2014-10-07T13:03:31.000Z
Matt Dumba
Johnny Boychuk(RD)|FA
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Boychuk to start his Isles career on the top-power play unit.

Boychuk, who was acquired from the Bruins on Saturday has a booming slapshot and will see an increased power-play role with his new team. He was behind some dynamic offensive-defensemen in Boston, but he will play a key role on Long Island. His fantasy value is definitely on the rise.

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Arthur Staple 2014-10-07T12:37:57.000Z
Johnny Boychuk
Andrew Shaw(C)|CHI
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Shaw will be reunited with Brandon Saad and Patrick Kane in the season opener.

The trio of Shaw, Saad and Kane played together in the Western Conference Final, but were broken up to start training camp when Brad Richards arrived. However, Shaw was back between the two skilled wingers in the final preseason game and will be there for the season opener on Thursday in Dallas.

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Tracey Myers 2014-10-07T10:58:19.000Z
Andrew Shaw
Ryan Johansen(C)|PHI
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Johansen expects to play in the Blue Jackets' season opener on Thursday.

Johansen is currently in Toronto waiting to be cleared by immigration on both sides of the border before he can travel to Columbus. Johansen is expected to be in Columbus today for a physical and on the ice for Wednesday's practice and in uniform on Thursday night vs. the Sabres. "I feel good. I feel close (to game shape)," Johansen said. "I haven’t had any preseason games, so that's a challenge. My two linemates (forwards Boone Jenner and Nathan Horton) are hurt. That’ll be one of the biggest thing, being thrown in with two new guys."

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Aaron Portzline 2014-10-07T10:55:27.000Z
Ryan Johansen
Brent Burns(D)|COL
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Burns will return to the blue line in time for the start of the 2014-15 season.

Burns put up good numbers in his first full NHL season as a forward, scoring 48 points in 69 games (22G / 26A). He was, however, a streaky player, at one point going 19 games between goals and adding just two goals and one assist in seven playoff games while playing on Joe Thornton’s wing. “That size, the strength, the shot – you just saw Montreal with a guy that’s a bit of a wild stallion go and make plays,” GM Doug Wilson said, referring to P.K Subban. “Burnzie, to us, is that type of ingredient that we need, so that will be taking place.”

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Kevin Kurz 2014-05-16T09:38:23.000Z
Brent Burns
Jordan Nolan(C)|FA
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Nolan in; Kyle Clifford out.

Clifford stayed on the ice a with the extras in the Kings' morning skate suggesting that he will come out and Nolan will slide Tonight, will be Nolan's first game since game 3 of the first round. Nolan has no points and a minus-1 rating while averaging 8:16 TOI in two postseason games.

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Eric Stephens 2014-05-12T17:05:09.000Z
Jordan Nolan
Nathan Beaulieu(LD)|FA
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Beaulieu could make his NHL playoff debut in game 6.

After playing just 17 NHL games this season, Beaulieu left the ice with the regulars this morning, while Douglas Murray stayed on for extra work, which suggests the 21-year-old will make his playoff debut in a game where the Habs are facing elimination. Beaulieu had two assists and a plus-6 rating for Montreal this season and was also very productive with Hamilton (AHL) collecting 27 points (7G / 20A) in 57 games.

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Arpon Basu 2014-05-12T12:05:11.000Z
Nathan Beaulieu
Kris Versteeg(RW)|
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Versteeg will be back in the Hawks lineup for game 5.

Versteeg is expected to skate on the top line with Bryan Bickell and Jonathan Toews. The Blackhawks are currently down two forwards: Andrew Shaw is injured and Brandon Bollig was suspended two games for his hit on Wild defenseman Keith Ballard in Game 4. Versteeg started the playoffs on the top line with Toews and looked good at the start. He struggled the rest of the way, however, and has been scratched several times, once for illness.

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Tracey Myers 2014-05-11T18:12:41.000Z
Kris Versteeg
Peter Regin(C)|
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Regin will make his Blackhawks' postseason debut on Sunday.

With Brandon Bollig suspended, Regin will enter the lineup in game 5 tonight. Regin will centre the fourth line tonight, but will need to shake off the cobwebs, after not playing since April 12th. Regin was playing solid minutes as the regular-season ended, part of a third line with Bryan Bickell and Jeremy Morin. He was a plus-3 in his final four regular-season games.

Source:
Tracey Myers 2014-05-11T18:11:02.000Z
Peter Regin

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.