Ranking the 5 Best Defense Pairings Early in the 2022-23 NHL Season

Hockey fans are aware of the old saying that the best defense is a good offense. However, it can also be argued that the best defense can nullify an opponent's offense. That's especially true in today's NHL where the onus is on speed, puck-moving skills and two-way play.

Every team usually has one defenseman who can log big minutes, contribute offensively and play a smart defensive role in their own zone. He's usually paired with a blueliner who plays a more defensive role whenever their partner moves the puck up ice and joins the rush.

It can be difficult for NHL clubs to maintain regular blue-line pairings over the course of a season. Injuries can break up the pairings or affect overall chemistry. A coach can shake things up if he feels the defense is struggling. Sometimes a tandem can be broken up by trades or free-agent departures.

A handful of NHL clubs are fortunate to have found that perfect mixture among their defense corps. With the current season entering its second month, it's an excellent opportunity to provide an early ranking of the five best blue-line pairings. We've factored in performance, experience and individual awards.

Do you agree or disagree with our ranking? Did we leave anyone out? Feel free to let us know in the comments section below.

5. Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock, New York Islanders

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New York Islanders defensemen Ryan Pulock (left) and Adam Pelech.

A difficult first-half schedule last season contributed to the New York Islanders missing the 2022 playoffs. Off to a 9-6-0 record to start this season, the Isles appear to be headed to a bounce-back campaign. The play of top-pairing defensemen Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock has been a significant contributing factor in the club's early success.

Pelech, 28, leads the Islanders in time on ice per game (21:09) and is second in shorthanded ice time (3:05). He's also second in blocked shots with 27, sits among their leaders in hits (26) and leads their blueliners in five vs. five puck possession with a shot-attempt percentage of 51.3.

The 28-year-old Pulock's 20:19 of time on ice per game ranks third among Isles skaters. He's fourth in blocked shots (24) and seventh in shorthanded ice time (2:19) and hits (28) and sixth in takeaways with seven. His five vs. five shot-attempts percentage (49.0) sits among the team leaders.

4. Victor Hedman and Erik Cernak, Tampa Bay Lightning

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Tampa Bay Lightning defensemen Victor Hedman and Erik Cernak attempt to contain Los Angeles Kings winger Kevin Fiala.

The offseason departure of Jan Rutta via free agency forced the Tampa Bay Lightning to find a new defense partner for perennial all-star Victor Hedman. They've paired him with Erik Cernak, who had skated alongside Ryan McDonagh on their second pairing until the latter was traded to Nashville. So far, the duo seems to be working well through the early going.

Winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2018 and a regular finalist for the award since 2017, the 31-year-old Hedman has been the Lightning's blue-line stalwart for a decade. With nine points in 12 games, he's sixth among their scoring leaders. He skates a team-leading 24:35 in time on ice per game in all situations and sits third with 26 blocked shots.

Cernak, 25, isn't as flashy as Hedman but plays a steady defensive game. He averages 20:30 of ice time per game and leads the Lightning in shorthanded ice time (3:39). He's also their team leader with 40 hits and is second in blocked shots with 33.

3. Jaccob Slavin and Brent Burns, Carolina Hurricanes

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Blueliners Jaccob Slavin (No. 74, foreground) and Brent Burns (center) of the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Carolina Hurricanes' acquisition of Brent Burns last July brought a former James Norris Memorial Trophy winner to their defense corps. Skating alongside Jaccob Slavin, the duo has provided the Hurricanes with a formidable top blue-line pairing thus far.

Burns, 37, has reached or exceeded 43 points 10 times in his 18 previous NHL seasons. With 10 points in 15 games, he's fourth among Hurricanes scorers. He's also their leader in time on ice per game (23:18), second in power-play ice time (3:47) and fourth in shorthanded ice time (2:27). Burns also leads their blueliners in five vs. five shot attempts percentage with 64.5.

The 28-year-old Slavin is the more defensive-minded of the duo. A disciplined blueliner who won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2020-21, he's the Hurricanes' leader in shorthanded ice time (3:16), blocked shots (24) and takeaways (24). His 22:50 of time on ice per game ranks second behind Burns.

2. Ryan Lindgren and Adam Fox, New York Rangers

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New Rangers Rangers blueliners Ryan Lindgren (left) and Adam Fox.

Ryan Lindgren and Adam Fox were a key part of the New York Rangers' march to the 2022 Eastern Conference Final. As the club attempts to build upon last season's impressive improvement, their top defense pairing will continue to play a significant role.

Winner of the James Norris Trophy in 2020-21, the 24-year-old Fox is a skillful puck-mover who plays a smart game at both ends of the rink. With 16 points in 15 games, he's among the scoring leaders for NHL blueliners. Logging a team-leading 24:39 of ice time per game, he's also their leader with 13 takeaways while sitting third in five vs. five shot attempts percentage (58.6).

Lindgren's defensive style has meshed well with Fox's all-around play. He's among the Blueshirts leaders in shot-attempt percentage (55.9), sits second in blocked shots (30), fourth in hits with 18 and fifth in shorthanded ice time per game (1:59).

1. Devon Toews and Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche

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Colorado Avalanche defensemen Cale Makar (No. 8) and Devon Toews.

The pairing of Devon Toews and Cale Makar played a crucial role in the Colorado Avalanche's march to the 2022 Stanley Cup. Now in their third season as regular defense partners, they will be indispensable in the Avalanche's quest to repeat as champions.

Makar was last season's winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy and the Conn Smythe Trophy. A gifted, mobile defenseman, the 24-year-old sits fourth in time on ice per game (26:07) for NHL blueliners and is also among their points leaders with 14. Makar is one of the Avs' leaders in blocked shots (25), takeaways (10) and shorthanded ice time (2:58) per game.

Toews, 28, is often overshadowed by Makar, but he's a blue-line workhorse. He sits second among the Avs in ice time per game (22:44), including a team-leading 3:05 of shorthanded time on ice, and sits second in blocked shots with 23. Toews is also among their puck-possession leaders with a five vs. five shot-attempts percentage of 56.7.

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Stats (as of Nov. 11, 2022) and trophy information via NHL.com with additional info via Hockey-Reference.com.