Remember when I talked about Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb being the NHL's best defensive pair? Remember when I also talked about Jack Eichel having one of the best offensive ratings in the league? Well, let's combine the two, shall we?
It seems that preventing goals isn't the only thing that the pair of Original Misfits are good at. It also has a significant impact on their defensive ratings. According to HockeyStatCards, the Vegas Golden Knights' defensemen are sitting atop the defensive ratings entering Friday's slate of games. That meant fending off a slew of New York Rangers from the top spot.
Top Defenders by Defense Rating pic.twitter.com/1NPnr80qAc
— HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards) November 26, 2025
Looking back at the previous article, you'll see that the pairing allowed 0.89 Goals Against Per 60 Minutes. Now? They're running away with the defensive rankings, with Theodore at the top at +6.1. McNabb followed his fellow Misfit with a rating of +5.0.
It's already telling to see two seasoned Golden Knights stars make the top of the list. But when the stats show where they truly stand within the NHL hierarchy. Now, there's no denying that Theodore and McNabb belong with the league's best, especially without a prominent blue liner like Alex Pietrangelo.
Why the latest rating involving Brayden McNabb and Shea Theodore matters for the Vegas Golden Knights
The Golden Knights aren't in the most ideal position regarding their goaltending. This starts with not having Adin Hill around with a lower-body injury, leaving the group in a hodgepodge situation. It's been mentioned numerous times, but you can't rely on Akira Schmid and Carl Lindbom to carry you to a Stanley Cup.
Sure, Carter Hart might be eligible to return on December 1st. However, will the rink rust be a major thing for the veteran netminder? That's why you need a premier duo like Theodore and McNabb around. It helps to ease the pressure off your netminders, especially when they don't have their best games.
With the Misfits stepping up and carrying the load, the Golden Knights have kept themselves afloat in the Pacific Division standings. Entering Friday's game against the Montreal Canadiens, Vegas was in second place with 28 points and a record of 10-5-8.
Of course, that's also a testament to Bruce Cassidy's excellent defensive system. The head coach has done a terrific job of taking away open looks from opposing teams, putting them under pressure to find the right spot. That's led to the Golden Knights establishing their brand of hockey, putting their opponents on their toes.
Mostly, it's shown the evolution of two key players in Golden Knights history. McNabb has done a great job of adapting a defensive style to his game over the years, becoming one of the most underrated stay-at-home defensemen in the league. But Theodore? He's improved his defensive game drastically, quietly becoming one of the league's best defenders.
It's further proof that the pair's the best in the business. Again, it takes a pair of Misfits to get the job done for the Vegas Golden Knights.