(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

Yesterday in New Jersey, the Golden Knights blocked a total of 23 shots on goal. It was only the 7th time this season that Vegas got in the way of 20 or more shots in a game. Dating back to last season, the Golden Knights are well below coach Bruce Cassidy’s seasonal averages since his arrival in 2022-23.

VGK’s Blocked Shots Per Game Under Cassidy

• 2022-23: 17.94 (1st)
• 2023-24: 18.16 (3rd)
• 2024-25: 15.30 (15th)
• 2025-26 (27 Games): 15.05 (11th)

For some reason, the past two seasons, the Golden Knights have been underperforming in the shot block department. It’s probably not a philosophy change as Cassidy-led teams are usually among the league leaders in blocked shots. Since he became Vegas’ leader, his teams have blocked the 3rd most shots in the NHL, behind Philadelphia and Montreal. Vegas is just one of three Western Conference teams to be in the Top 10 since 2022-23.

To no surprise, Brayden McNabb nearly leads the league (20-game minimum) in blocked shots with 7.87 per 60. If there’s one player you can rely on to lay out in front of a puck, it’s the nine-year Vegas veteran. After McNabb, Keegan Kolesar is next on the Golden Knights with 5.87, then Shea Theodore at 3.92. However, several Golden Knights aren’t doing their part.

Why is Colton Sissons blocking under three shots per 60? Why do Ivan Barbashev and Tomas Hertl block fewer shots than Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner? If we’re stumped, you have to assume Cassidy is as well. The sad reality is, without McNabb, Vegas would be dead last in block shots. Not a position we would ever think the Golden Knights would be in.

(Credit: NHL.com)

Since their first-ever game in 2017 against the Dallas Stars, VGK is 3rd in blocked shots. If you subtract this season and the previous season, Vegas has the 2nd most blocked shots since 2017-18. This season, they’re on pace for 11th place in the league. Not good enough for a historically balanced lineup.

In their Cup run 2022-23 season, Vegas was first in total blocked shots. The second team with the most blocks were more than a full shot fewer per game. VGK blocked 1,494 shots; Philadelphia blocked 83 fewer shot attempts. That’s a wide margin between the top two clubs in that statistic.

(Credit: NHL.com *2017-2025)

Of course, the total amount of blocked shots has dipped since Alec Martinez left the club. However, most of the roster witnessed his courage and desire to block any incoming shot. Outside of McNabb, the rest of the lineup needs to spend more time watching Martinez highlights to get more motivated to sacrifice themselves on the ice when needed.

A final editorial, blocking shots is vital to winning a Stanley Cup. However, it’s dangerous and shouldn’t be a habit for every player in the regular season. In my opinion, Eichel and Marner should shy away from sacrificing their bodies during the regular season. But, once the playoffs arrive, they’d better block shots.