best defense in the NHL

[spaz-tastic84]

My stubborn roommate insist that the Bruins have the best defense in the league hands down. In you oppinion, let me have atleast you opinion on the top 5 defense in the league..

[HarleyQuinn]

Well... if you want to go by GA per game here's a top list (After all, good D allows few goals, no?) Also included SOG. It appears that I'd give the nod to the New York Rangers or Buffalo Sabres as the best defensive team in the NHL right now.

 

New York Rangers at 2.13 - 27.8

Buffalo Sabres at 2.15 - 28.8

Minnesota Wild at 2.17 - 31.1

Boston Bruins at 2.30 - 31.9

Montreal Canadiens at 2.36 - 30.7

San Jose Sharks at 2.36 - 24.7

New Jersey Devils at 2.42 - 27.0

 

[spaz-tastic84]

I would definately agree with you on the Rangers and Buffalo statistically. Non statistically I would put San Jose a little higher on the list.

[Guest]

Minnesota has the best defense in the league. All of their forwards (except Gaborik) are great on the forecheck, their penalty kill is outstanding, and they have a brick wall in front of the net.

[the max]

The Bruins have an underrated defense, but not the best in the NHL. That they are where they are with Chara and no defined #2 defenseman is remarkable. Wideman sees a lot of minutes, Ward sees quite a bit as well, but they have no #2 defenseman to pair with Chara. Statisically, they're still paying for earlier this season when they had a bad stretch of games. They've come on lately and have been very solid.

 

As far as the forwards go, they're certainly more responsible then most. Savard, Kessel, Ryder and Sturm, players considered to be offense first guys are always backchecking now. Julien running the Box Plus 1 defensive strategy relies heavily on forwards being defensively responsible, and now that the offense-first players are buying in, the Bruins have been really buckling down in their own end. They still struggle on the PK, something owed to the lack of a true #2 defenseman, but their powerplay has been balancing that out lately.

[Red Baron]

Minnesota has the best defense in the league. All of their forwards (except Gaborik) are great on the forecheck, their penalty kill is outstanding, and they have a brick wall in front of the net.

 

If his play continues, Mikko Koivu should get nominated for the Selke.