Shea Theodore is a gifted passer and offensive weapon who often drives the Vegas Golden Knights power play and is a consistent threat to push the pace.
But he’s also a defenseman who has thrived in his role on the top pair with Brayden McNabb and proven he’s willing to do the dirty work in his own zone.
Theodore is leading the NHL in blocked shots during the playoffs, one of three Golden Knights in the top six in that category.
“I think it’s just the commitment everyone has to win,” Theodore said. “It’s that time of year where any chance can swing a game and I think the willingness of every guy to get in lanes and make big blocks whether it’s in the first or late in the third, guys are willing to do it. I think that’s important for a championship team.”
Blocked shots are a far less glorious and far more painful stat than goals, but one that contributes significantly to the team’s impressive postseason run that has them one win away from a third Stanley Cup Final in the franchise’s nine seasons.
Blocking game
The Knights will go for a sweep of the Avalanche in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final at T-Mobile Arena when they meet for a 6 p.m. Tuesday game.
Colorado will have to find more ways to get to the puck on net despite the Knights’ willingness to put their bodies in harm’s way. Less than half of the Avalanche’s shot attempts have actually gone on net.
“I think every guy at this time of year steps up the intensity and is really focused on the little things because we know the margin is so small between winning and losing,” defenseman Noah Hanifin said. “I think everyone is buying into that whole mindset.
“I’m definitely not the only one in that regard. I think everyone is doing what they can and that’s what it takes this time of year.”
The Knights have certainly put that into practice as Theodore is far from the only player willing to put his body on the line.
He finished 122nd in the league during the regular season in blocked shots, averaging 3.26 per 60 minutes.
Theodore is blocking 6.87 shots per 60 minutes in the playoffs. McNabb is also averaging more than six blocks per 60 minutes.
Hanifin was 57th in the regular season, but has 30 blocks in the playoffs to rank sixth. While he has increased from 4.33 to 4.97 blocks per 60 minutes, many have come in key situations to make the impact even greater than the raw numbers.
“We set the tone early. There was a huge block early in the game,” goaltender Carter Hart said after Game 2. “The willingness to block shots and the willingness to sacrifice for the better of the team is crucial.”
Commitment shows
The commitment has been evident since the postseason started.
After finishing 18th in the NHL as a team with 14.4 blocks per game, the Knights have increased that number to 17.6 in the playoffs to lead all teams that made it out of the first round.
The fact stars like Theodore and Hanifin, an Olympic gold medalist with Team USA, are willing to take their lumps for the team helps set a standard.
“It doesn’t matter who you are or where you play in the lineup, that’s what it takes to win this time of year,” defenseman Kaedan Korczak said. “Obviously, having guys like them step up in a huge way, for a young guy like myself, it’s pretty easy to follow in their footsteps.”
The Knights have blocked at least 20 shots in all three games against Colorado, though they know the sacrifice comes with risk.
Forward Pavel Dorofeyev had to leave Game 5 of the second-round series against Anaheim after blocking a Jackson LaCombe slap shot with the inside of his right knee. He did return after missing several shifts and eventually scored the game-winner.
“It’s kind of a (expletive) part of my job,” he joked after the game about blocking shots.
Another example came during Sunday night’s Game 3 when Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon, the league’s leading goal scorer in the regular season, left the game after blocking a shot with his knee in the second period.
He did return in the final few minutes of the third period to labor his way through four shifts, but clearly wasn’t 100 percent.
Colorado coach Jared Bednar was uncertain of MacKinnon’s status for Game 4, a consequence of putting his body on the line for the team in the postseason.
“I think everyone is just willing to do their part,” Theodore said.
That extends beyond just blocking shots. Forwards Ivan Barbashev (79), Keegan Kolesar (69) and Cole Smith (63) represent the top three in hits this postseason as the Knights impose their will physically.
A second Stanley Cup would probably serve as a soothing balm to help the wounds heal a bit faster.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.
