In this edition of the hotstove we share our picks for the best defense pairing in the NHL.
Todd Cordell
For me it's the Anton Stralman - Victor Hedman pairing in Tampa Bay.
Since the beginning of 2014-15 the Lightning have scored 64.5% of all 5 vs 5 goals with that unit on the ice and they've generated a 58.7% share of the shot attempts. This while playing against top competition every night.
Both players are sound in their own zone and can get it done offensively as well. Stralman has 46 points in his last 106 games while Hedman has 51 points in 82 games since the beginning of 2014-15.
John Jaeckel
Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook.
Maybe there's an argument that they aren't paired together this year—yet. But they have been when it's mattered and for most of the last several seasons, and the results speak for themselves.
Keith and Drew Doughty are the two best defensemen in the game today. And Seabrook is in the top 20 defensemen in the league, and as he showed again last night, he has a gift for huge goals and plays when games are on the line.
I put Roman Josi and Shea Weber—when they're paired together—second.
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