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Vegas Golden Knights: Three Storylines to focus on in WCF

By Andrew Steele-Davis

Thatcher Demko #35 of the Vancouver Canucks and Robin Lehner #90 of the Vegas Golden Knights shake following Lehner's 3-0 shutout against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Thatcher Demko #35 of the Vancouver Canucks and Robin Lehner #90 of the Vegas Golden Knights shake following Lehner's 3-0 shutout against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Shea Theodore #27 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates against the Vancouver Canucks in Game Five
Shea Theodore #27 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates against the Vancouver Canucks in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round.(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

2. Battle of the Blueline Studs

There will be a plethora of compelling matchups to keep an eye out for throughout the course of this series, but one stands out in particular.

Shea Theodore Vs. Miro Heiskanen.

The pair have both been on an absolute tear throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs and they are both establishing themselves as two of the best young defensemen in the National Hockey League.

Theodore was an absolute juggernaut for the Golden Knights throughout the regular season, setting career-highs in goals (13), assists (33), points (46) and power play points (16).

He averaged 22:15 minutes of ice time per game and the blueliner has only elevated his game further inside The Bubble.

In 15 games Theodore leads the Golden Knights in points in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with 16 (6 G, 10 A), and he also leads the team in power play points with six.

Theodore is quickly establishing himself as one of the best players on this Golden Knights roster, and it shouldn’t be long before he enters the Norris Trophy conversation on a year-by-year basis.

Then there is Heiskanen who has easily been one of the standout players of the postseason so far, carrying the Stars on his back at times.

Miro Heiskanen #4 of the Dallas Stars scores at 11:14 of the first period against Cam Talbot #39 of the Calgary Flames in Game Two
Miro Heiskanen #4 of the Dallas Stars scores at 11:14 of the first period against Cam Talbot #39 of the Calgary Flames in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round.(Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images) /

Despite his tender age of 21, the Finnish phenom is currently battling with Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks) and Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche) for the title of the best young offensive blueliner in the NHL.

It was an incredibly impressive sophomore season for Heiskanen, and the left shot continues to wow the hockey world.

He has racked up 21 points (5 G, 16 A) in 16 postseason games and it will be fascinating to see Heiskanen and Theodore go toe-to-toe.

They are both rising stars and, while you could argue that Heiskanen has the higher ceiling given his age, both are set for bright careers in the NHL

Both are also serious Conn Smythe contenders right now and both will be crucial to their respective teams in this series.

It should be a hell of a lot of fun to watch.

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