Top-5 trios for 3-on-3 overtime

NHL fans are in for a real treat starting next season.

The league will implement 3-on-3 overtime next year pending approval by the Board of Governors, that's right, pond hockey rules are in effect. The team will say so long to 4-on-4 play and hopefully so long to the abundance of shootouts that had become an all too-common occurrence in the league.

With teams set for 3-on-3, clubs can now start to strategize which trio of players will give their club the best chance to win and let's just say there are some very excitable threesomes at teams' disposals.

Here are the top-5 trios that could take the ice next season:

5. St. Louis Blues: Tarasenko, Backes, Pietrangelo

The St. Louis Blues finished alongside the Anaheim Ducks for the top spot in the Western Conference and had the fifth most goals this past season, so offense is not a concern for them.

Leading the way there was forward Vladimir Tarasenko who proved to be on the cusp of taking over as one of the premier goal-scorers in the NHL. The team also holds arguably the strongest defense core in the league highlighted by Alex Pietrangelo.

Couple those two with one of the league's best two-way centers in David Backes and that trio could be one to reckon with. The three have the ability to defend, grind, and score those oh-so pretty goals. Definitely a threesome to watch out for.

4. Washington Capitals: Ovechkin, Backstrom, Carlson

You want to give more space to the reigning Rocket Richard Trophy winner, well, other teams might not be happy about that.

The Washington Capitals duo of Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom have created magic over the years together playing at 5-on-5, give the two more ice to work with an you have a lethal combination on your hands.

Throw in defenseman John Carlson who can stabilize the back end while also adding another offensive weapon from the point and this trio could wreak havoc.

3. Tampa Bay Lightning: Stamkos, Johnson, Hedman

This season, the Tampa Bay Lightning showed they are a team built for the future, but they also look built for 3-on-3.

Forward Tyler Johnson proved size in the game is relative, going off for 72 points in 77 games in just his second full season in the league. Meanwhile, captain Steven Stamkos is still amongst the greatest goal-scorers in the game, a threat to hit 50 goals every season.

However, the cornerstone of the Lightning's top trio could be defenseman Victor Hedman, who used this season's playoffs as his coming out party. Hedman can be a rock on the back end, but can be as dangerous offensively as any blue-liner in the league.

The Lightning had a losing record in the shootout this season going 3-5, but with the introduction of 3-on-3 and this trio at their disposal, they might not need to worry about the skills competition.

2. Pittsburgh Penguins: Crosby, Malkin, Letang

When the concept of 3-on-3 was first discussed, many drooled over the idea of seeing this trio in action.

The two best players in the world combined with one of the elite offensive defenders in the game equals a trio that is just asking for 3-on-3.

Teams enter games against the Pittsburgh Penguins pondering how they will keep Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin off the scoresheet, with the most common response being, limit their space.

Well, the league's newest concept handicaps that strategy, leaving 'hope and pray for the best' as a team's best hopes against the Penguins.

Throw in Kris Letang, who can be nearly as lethal as any defenseman on the back end, and you can expect few Penguins games to make it to the shootout.

1. Chicago Blackhawks: Toews, Kane, Keith

It is only fitting that the top spot belongs to the Stanley Cup champs.

There are no surprises as to who the Chicago Blackhawks would likely send to the ice in a 3-on-3 sudden death situation.

Patrick Kane gives the team the fancy flair and ability to be lethal when given time and space. Captain Jonathan Toews can do, well, everything. Get in those dirty areas, score that beauty goal, whatever it takes.

Then there is defenseman Duncan Keith who, if head coach Joel Quenneville would let him, could probably play the entire overtime period and be effective doing so.

Can't think of a much better threesome.

Honorable Mentions:

Los Angeles Kings: Kopitar, Carter, Doughty

Detroit Red Wings: Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Kronwall

Anaheim Ducks: Getzlaf, Perry, Vatanen