Keeping lines together

Gabe Desjardins and Earl Sleek have put together a list on which lines in the NHL have played together the most this season, following up on Sleek's theory that the Ducks' checking line of Rob Niedermayer, Sam Pahlsson and Travis Moen have played all 82 games, side-by-side.

Here's a look at the top 10 trios:

1. Pahlsson-Niedermayer-Moen (ANA) 88.5%
2. Selanne-McDonald-Kunitz (ANA) 76.5%
3. Pominville-Hecht-Briere (BUF) 75.9%
4. Parise-Zajac-Langenbrunner (NJD) 65.8%
5. Rolston-Bouchard-White (MIN) 62.6%
6. Jagr-Nylander-Straka (NYR) 59.3%
7. Gomez-Gionta-Elias (NJD) 53.5%
8. Pandolfo-Madden-Brylin (NJD) 53.0%
9. Hunter-Sillinger-Hilbert (NYI) 51.4%
10. Vanek-Afinogenov-Roy (BUF) 50.4%

It's hard to believe, for one, that the Sabres have managed to keep two of their trios together so often given how many injuries there are been in Buffalo, but this gives you an idea of Lindy Ruff's penchant for keeping lines together throughout the year.

Numbers 2, 4, 6, 7 and 8 are hardly surprises, as these are some of the most well-known combinations overall, forward combinations that have been together for at least a year or two now.