There are a handful of NHL teams that come to mind when you talk about secondary scoring, but you will notice that those same teams that you speak of are the ones scoring a ton of goals. 

All teams have a scoring line, but that scoring line produces even more than usual when three more big producers step onto the ice when they go to the bench. After all, whom do the other team focus on defensively when you can roll out an offensive threat for two thirds of a game?

The Vancouver Canucks are the first team that comes to mind, essentially because their weakness for the past few seasons has been a lack of secondary scoring beyond the top line of Markus Naslund, Todd Bertuzzi, and Brendan Morrison. 

Now that the Sedin twins, Henrik and Daniel, have come into their own and at the same time have found a compatible linemate in Anson Carter, that is one less problem that the Canucks have. Unfortunately, many other problems have sprung up. If the Canucks do manage to squeak into the playoffs and they get strong goaltending, it will be those six forwards that will contribute most of the scoring, and they will be tough to contain.

The Buffalo Sabres and the Carolina Hurricanes come to mind next, because they are the two most successful teams at 'scoring by committee.' 

The emergence of Maxim Afinogenov as star for the Sabres gives them one of the best scoring options to follow a first line in the NHL. After starting the year with 19 points in 27 games, Afinogenov has 48 points in his last 46 games, including nine in his last four. He has found great chemistry with Derek Roy and Tomas Vanek. With Chris Drury and Ales Kotalik giving the Sabres even more scoring options beyond the top line of Daniel Briere-Tim Connolly-J.P. Dumont, they will be tough to stop come playoff time when they will most assuredly meet the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Hurricanes have the luxury of rolling out Mark Recchi, Rod Brind'Amour and Justin Williams after Eric Staal's line comes off. Which line do you focus on? 

The playoff hockey pool draft is coming up next week, and you could do a lot worse than hitching your fortunes to the wagons of teams with elite scoring on the second line.

Meanwhile...

...Tyler Arnason, acquired by the Ottawa Senators at the trade deadline, has been pointless in his last eight games...

...Phoenix captain Shane Doan has 44 points in his last 44 games. Teammate Mike Comrie has 24 points in his last 26 games. Both will put up stronger numbers next year...

...Heading into Sunday's action, San Jose and St. Louis were the only NHL teams that have not played their 77th game. Keep that in mind when making your rotisserie decisions...

Apr. 03, 2006 - Getzlaf as PP QB has Ducks Rolling
Mar. 27, 2006 - Bang For Your Buck
Mar. 20, 2006 - Deadline 2006 – Fantasy Fallout, Part 2
Mar. 13, 2006 - Deadline 2006 – Fantasy Fallout, Part 1
Mar. 06, 2006 - Trade Deadline Looms II
Feb. 27, 2006 - Break Over, Deadline Looms
Feb. 06, 2006 - Risky Picks
Jan. 30, 2006 - The Future of Boston
Jan. 23, 2006 - High-Flying Canucks
Jan. 16, 2006 - Home Sweet Home
Jan. 09, 2006 - He's Baaack!
Jan. 02, 2006 - Young Pens Get Their Shot
Dec. 19, 2005 - The 'New' Sabres
Dec. 12, 2005 - Shark Outlook Upgraded to 'Buy'
Dec. 05, 2005 - Rejoice Over Recent Movement
Nov. 28, 2005 - The Most Underrated Fantasy Player
Nov. 21, 2005 - Chemistry in Chicago
Nov. 14, 2005 - Thrashers the Net
Nov. 07, 2005 - King of the L.A. blueline
Oct. 31, 2005 - October's Best and Worst Fantasy Players
Oct. 24, 2005 - Wild About Scoring
Oct. 17, 2005 - Striking Gold – Thanks to Linemates
Oct. 10, 2005 - A Surprise Fantasy Asset
Oct. 03, 2005 - Last of the Late Picks to Put You Over the Top
Sept. 26, 2005 - More Late Picks to Put You Over the Top
Sept. 19, 2005 - Late Picks to Make or Break Your Pool Team

Dobber's Fantasy Tips exclusively appear Monday's at TheFourthPeriod.com.
Comments/Concerns/Criticisms/Compliments: rotohockey@rogers.com