Fantasy Hockey 2025-26: Best Even-Strength Line Stacks for Top Scoring Teams

With the 2025-26 NHL season approaching, fantasy managers are once again looking for every edge they can get. One of the best strategies in season-long contests is stacking players who skate together at even strength. These combinations maximize correlation and scoring upside without relying on power-play deployment alone. We've analyzed last season's top goal-scoring teams and current projected lines to build a guide of the most potent stacks heading into draft season.

Top Fantasy Hockey Line Stacks for the 2025-26 NHL Season

This guide focuses on stacking top-six even-strength lines from teams that ranked among the NHL's leaders in goals per game during the 2024-25 season. While some of these players also share power-play time, the primary focus is their 5-on-5 chemistry. Data sources include NHL team stats and current line combinations from Daily Faceoff.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Top Line: Jake Guentzel – Brayden Point – Nikita Kucherov

Second Line: Brandon Hagel – Anthony Cirelli – Gage Goncalves

Stacking Tampa Bay's top unit is as safe as it gets in fantasy hockey. Nikita Kucherov remains one of the most prolific wingers in the league, capable of putting up triple-digit points, and Brayden Point is the engine that makes this line hum. Adding Jake Guentzel gives the group even more firepower and shooting ability, making it a nightmare for opposing defenses. This trio will likely see top assignments every night and will be leaned on heavily in all situations. Tampa Bay's track record for offensive consistency makes this stack ideal for managers who value reliability and ceiling. The second line offers upside for depth as Hagel has shown the ability to play in the top six and contribute across categories, while Cirelli remains a steady two-way presence who chips in offensively. For deep leagues, Gage Goncalves is a name to monitor as he adjusts to a regular NHL role.

Florida Panthers

Top Line: Carter Verhaeghe – Aleksander Barkov – Sam Reinhart

Second Line: Evan Rodrigues – Sam Bennett – Mackie Samoskevich

Florida's top line is a fantasy dream, combining Aleksander Barkov's two-way dominance with Sam Reinhart's elite finishing touch and Carter Verhaeghe's speed on the wing. This trio drives play, creates high-danger chances and produces in every game state, making them one of the most bankable stacks in hockey. Barkov is as consistent as they come, while Reinhart's ability to score from the bumper position gives him multi-category appeal. Verhaeghe adds the speed factor, making him valuable in leagues that reward shots and goals. The second line shouldn't be overlooked either: Rodrigues has a knack for stepping up in big games, and Bennett remains a physical forward who racks up hits while producing offense. If Mackie Samoskevich sticks in the top six, he could emerge as a sneaky late-round gem.

Dallas Stars

Top Line: Jason Robertson – Roope Hintz – Mikko Rantanen

Second Line: Wyatt Johnston – Matt Duchene – Jamie Benn

Few teams boast the star power Dallas now has in its top unit. Jason Robertson is one of the league's most dynamic wingers, and Roope Hintz brings elite speed and two-way play down the middle. Adding Mikko Rantanen to this group elevates it into superstack territory. Rantanen's elite puck protection and goal-scoring ability make this trio dangerous every time they hit the ice. They'll dominate puck possession, generate heavy shot volume and feast on matchups against weaker defensive pairs. The second line is equally intriguing for value: Wyatt Johnston continues to develop into a future star, Matt Duchene offers veteran savvy and playmaking, and Jamie Benn provides physicality with finishing ability. This stack not only has elite upside but also strong floor metrics thanks to Robertson's consistency and Hintz's versatility.

Vegas Golden Knights

Top Line: Pavel Dorofeyev – Jack Eichel – Mitch Marner

Second Line: Reilly Smith – William Karlsson – Mark Stone

Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner together on the same line is fantasy gold. Eichel has rediscovered his elite form as a two-way center who can dominate offensively, while Marner is one of the most creative playmakers in the NHL. Adding Pavel Dorofeyev as the complementary winger gives this line a balanced mix of skill and opportunity—he could easily break out playing alongside two superstars. The second line, featuring Smith, Karlsson and Stone, remains a proven trio that offers scoring depth and multi-category contributions. Vegas is known for rolling balanced lines, but this top group will shoulder the offensive load and should see favorable matchups given the team's depth.

Winnipeg Jets

Top Line: Kyle Connor – Mark Scheifele – Gabriel Vilardi

Second Line: Cole Perfetti – Jonathan Toews - Gustav Nyquist

Connor and Scheifele have been a top offensive pairing for years, and Vilardi's emergence adds another weapon to this already dangerous top line. Connor brings elite shot volume and finishing skill, while Scheifele remains a reliable playmaker with goal-scoring upside. Vilardi's size and touch around the net give this trio a unique dynamic, making them tough to contain. The second line is a bit of a question mark here, as it's hard to know what to expect out of Toews after such a long layoff. Additionally, Nyquist struggled to produce in two stop last year, so he could find himself replaced by Alex Iafallo at some point. Still, this first line is so good that it's worth looking at the entire top-six here. 

Carolina Hurricanes

Top Line: Nikolaj Ehlers – Sebastian Aho – Seth Jarvis

Second Line: Andrei Svechnikov – Logan Stankoven – Jackson Blake

Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov form the backbone of Carolina's offensive attack, and the addition of Nikolaj Ehlers creates some flexibility to move these guys around and provide elite skating and shot generation. Seth Jarvis' addition to the first line gives them a scoring touch on both wings after he reached the 30-goal threshold in each of the last two seasons, making them a must-target stack for fantasy managers. The second line of Svechnikov, Stankoven and Blake is nearly as dangerous and can often be had later in drafts, providing incredible value. Stankoven and Blake are young, but bring upside for leagues that reward goals, assists and shots.

Drafting Tips

1.      Prioritize elite even-strength stacks from high-scoring teams to maximize point correlation.

2.      Supplement your top stack with value options from secondary lines for depth.

3.      Target players with stable roles to avoid midseason shakeups.

4.      Mix exposure across multiple elite teams to diversify risk and capture upside.

5.      Monitor line changes weekly, as coaches adjust based on performance and injuries.