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(Credit: NHL.com)<\/p>\n
This season the Golden Knights are 5-0-2 and are matching expectations through seven games. Sure, there have been some defensive lapses over the first five contests, but in the last two Vegas has allowed only two goals. Impressively enough, one of those opponents was the league\u2019s last remaining undefeated team. VGK\u2019s team defense held Carolina, who was averaging almost five goals a game to one score on Monday night.<\/p>\n
One of the reasons the Golden Knights\u2019 defense has settled in and is beginning to look like years past is their dedication to stopping the puck. While it shouldn\u2019t surprise any Vegas fan, 14-year career defenseman Brayden McNabb is two off the lead in blocked shots. Additionally, another Golden Knights defenseman also cracked the Top 15 in blocked shots this season.<\/p>\n
NHL\u2019s Top Shot Blockers<\/p>\n
Darnell Nurse (EDM) \u2013 26 Blocked Shots
\nBrayden McNabb (VGK) \u2013 24 Blocked Shots
\nAndrew Peeke (BOS) \u2013 22 Blocked Shots
\nBrett Pesce (CAR) \u2013 21 Blocked Shots
\nAlex Carrier (MTL) \u2013 20 Blocked Shots
\nConnor Timmins (BUF) \u2013 20 Blocked Shots
\nThomas Harley (DAL) \u2013 20 Blocked Shots
\nTyler Meyers (VAN) \u2013 19 Blocked Shots
\nAdam Larsson (SEA) \u2013 19 Blocked Shots
\nJared Spurgeon (MIN) \u2013 18 Blocked Shots
\nMike Matheson (MTL) \u2013 18 Blocked Shots
\nAuston Matthews (TOR) \u2013 18 Blocked Shots
\nSimon Edvinsson (DET) \u2013 18 Blocked Shots
\nShea Theodore (VGK) \u2013 17 Blocked Shots<\/p>\n
Surprisingly, Shea Theodore is listed with 17 blocked shots through seven games. At this pace, VGK\u2019s top blueliner is in line for almost 200 blocked shots. It\u2019s unlikely he reaches that mark once the defensive unit is fully healthy. However, he\u2019s way above his average per 60 minutes. Coming into the 2025-26 campaign, Theodore threw his body in front of a puck 3.33 times per 60. Currently, he\u2019s doubled his attempts in each matchup. As for McNabb, he\u2019s astonishingly blocking almost 10 shot attempts per 60.<\/p>\n
Overall, the Golden Knights have blocked the 7th most shot attempts since the start of the season.<\/p>\n
NHL\u2019s Top Teams In Blocked Shots<\/p>\n
Boston Bruins \u2013 143 Blocked Shots
\nMinnesota Wild \u2013 133 Blocked Shots
\nSeattle Kraken \u2013 133 Blocked Shots
\nNew Jersey Devils \u2013 132 Blocked Shots
\nMontreal Canadiens \u2013 132 Blocked Shots
\nPittsburgh Penguins \u2013 129 Blocked Shots
\nVegas Golden Knights \u2013 119 Blocked Shots
\nEdmonton Oilers \u2013 118 Blocked Shots
\nVancouver Canucks \u2013 117 Blocked Shots
\nNew York Rangers \u2013 116 Blocked Shots<\/p>\n
Altogether, Vegas has 17 players with at least one blocked shot this season. More significantly, seven Golden Knights have seven or more blocked shots in seven games. If VGK continues their pace of 17 blocked shots per game, they are set to soundly sail past last season\u2019s total of 1,287 blocked shots.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s unlikely that the Golden Knights will reach their high marks for blocked shots under coach Bruce Cassidy. In 2023-24, Vegas blocked 1,506 and blocked 1,494 in 2022-23. Keep in mind, Alec Martinez was still on the roster. The Golden Knights\u2019 most prolific shot blocker led the entire NHL with 244 during the unforgettable 2022-23 season. Unfortunately, Martinez dealt with several devastating injuries due to his penchant for shot blocking.<\/p>\n
Hopefully, neither McNabb nor Theodore embodies the former three-time Stanley Cup champion\u2019s fearlessness. Vegas cannot afford to lose any players at the moment, especially the two most reliable d-men on the roster.<\/p>\n
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