In this edition of the hotstove we share our picks for the best defense pairing(s) in the Western Conference.
Todd Cordell
There are a few excellent options to choose from but I'm going with the Esa Lindell - John Klingberg pairing in Dallas.
I think Lindell's strengths (positioning, gap control, entry defense, etc.) compliment Klingberg's (puck movement, skating, jumping into the play, etc.) really well and they combine to make a spectacular pairing.
…‹That certainly shows in the numbers as they rank 2nd among 87 eligible pairings (minimum 200 5v5 minutes together) with a +12 goal differential and 1st with an Expected Goals For% of ~60%.
Klingberg may very well be the favorite for the Norris Trophy, and this pairing logs more minutes than anyone for a Dallas team that ranks 1st in Expected Goals Against/60 at 5v5, which certainly doesn't hurt their case.
Peter Tessier Unlike the East there's a bit more of debate about who would be the top pair on defence in the West.
Hamilton Giordano? Doughty Muzzin? Burns Ryan? Lindell Klingberg? What about the vaunted group in Nashville?
In this case I think it's a toss up between Hamilton and Giordano and Doughty and Muzzin. Flip a coin and take a pick because this one is too close to call. You could pick any of these and not be wrong- it's just a matter of what you value most.
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