Vegas Hockey Knight
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Vegas Golden Knights: Three studs from the Stanley Cup Playoffs

By Andrew Steele-Davis

Robin Lehner #90 of the Vegas Golden Knights covers up the puck against Corey Perry #10 of the Dallas Stars during the third period in Game Five of the Western Conference Final. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Robin Lehner #90 of the Vegas Golden Knights covers up the puck against Corey Perry #10 of the Dallas Stars during the third period in Game Five of the Western Conference Final. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Jamie Benn #14 of the Dallas Stars skates for the puck against Shea Theodore #27 of the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period in Game Two
Jamie Benn #14 of the Dallas Stars skates for the puck against Shea Theodore #27 of the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period in Game Two of the Western Conference Final. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

1. Shea Theodore

This is an obvious one.

Shea Theodore was the biggest positive to come out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and he was their best player.

After carving out a career-year during the regular-season, Theodore elevated his game further in the postseason and proved why he is rapidly becoming one of the best offensive defensemen in the entire National Hockey League.

From sublime breakout passes to coming up clutch and quarterbacking the power play, the 25-year-old did it all for the Golden Knights inside The Bubble.

He led Vegas in points in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with 19 (7 G, 12 A) with a +7 rating in 20 games, ranking second in points for a defenseman in the entire league.

Not bad at all.

Theodore averaged 22:24 minutes of total ice time throughout the Playoffs, playing a key role in all situations for the Knights.

He led the team in power play points with eight and is fast developing as an elite quarterback on the man advantage.

Shea Theodore #27 of the Vegas Golden Knights and Mattias Janmark #13 of the Dallas Stars battle for the puck during the first period in Game Five
Shea Theodore #27 of the Vegas Golden Knights and Mattias Janmark #13 of the Dallas Stars battle for the puck during the first period in Game Five of the Western Conference Final. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Granted, Theodore did lead the Golden Knights in High-Danger Chances against per 60 with 13.73, and he also had a expected goals against against per 60 of 3.04 to go along with a team-leading 10 giveaways.

However, that can also be attributed to the forwards not doing their job on the ice and leaving Theodore isolated.

But, if Theodore can tidy up his game in his own zone then there is no doubt that the Vegas Golden Knights have an absolute horse on their hands for the foreseeable.

He has all the makings of a true No.1 defenseman and he showed why with his elite play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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