A premier NHL defense pairing can dominate games and secure victory independently.
Several elite duos entered the 2026-27 season aiming for this standard, exceeding expectations, and few have connected after recent injuries prompted lineup adjustments.
In this one-month-old 2026-27 NHL season, the leading defense pairings according to 5-on-5 underlying numbers and advanced statistics have positioned their teams high in the standings.
(All stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick)
Miro Heiskanen And Thomas Harley, Dallas Stars
Miro Heiskanen and Thomas Harley formed a standout defensive partnership for the Dallas Stars. The duo faced a brief hiatus due to Esa Lindell’s unavailability, though Lindell and Heiskanen reunited in a Saturday matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Whether Heiskanen and Harley remain paired for the remainder of the season is yet to be determined, but their chemistry remains extraordinary and deserved given their individual talents.
Among all defense pairs logging at least 100 minutes together, Heiskanen and Harley lead the league in expected goals share at 5-on-5 with an impressive 76.71 percent. Consequently, they also record the lowest expected goals against at 1.83, making them the sole pair to achieve an expected goals against rate under 2.
Quinn Hughes And Jonas Brodin, Minnesota Wild
Following the long-term absence of defenseman Brock Faber, the Minnesota Wild’s defensive unit has maintained solid performance. The pairing of superstar Quinn Hughes and Jonas Brodin has been especially effective.
This duo ranks second in the NHL for Corsi share at 62.75 percent among pairs playing at least 100 minutes, and they excel in expected goals, placing seventh with an 11.24 goal differential and a 67.44 percent expected goals share—the league’s second-best.
Brodin serves as a shutdown blueliner operating on his offside, while Hughes ranks second among defensemen in points with 21 this season.
Mattias Ekholm And Evan Bouchard, Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers’ duo of Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard may not lead in traditional Corsi categories, yet they score like no other in the league.
Part of their success likely stems from Connor McDavid’s remarkable offensive output, but Bouchard has also performed individually to lead all defensemen with 26 points—a marksman who would top the NHL if his two teammates were absent.
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However, it is not solely offensive for these two. With 17 goals combined for Edmonton, they have conceded only three goals, an exceptional 85 percent point share—the highest in the NHL.
Sometimes offense serves as defense, and Ekholm and Bouchard’s ability to support the team’s premier stars has proven effective, playing a significant role in the Oilers’ strong early‑season start.
Jaccob Slavin And Jalen Chatfield, Carolina Hurricanes
For a team renowned for restricting opponents, the pairing of Jaccob Slavin and Jalen Chatfield is arguably the league’s most formidable, topping the charts in expected goals‑for at 15.24 among 100‑minute shifts.
It is unsurprising that the Carolina Hurricanes, defending Stanley Cup champions and the current league leaders, possess one of the league’s best defensive units, featuring blueliners effective on both sides of the puck.
They have logged 128 scoring chances—the second‑most among such pairs—and second in Corsi at 265.
K’Andre Miller And Sean Walker, Carolina Hurricanes
Just as impressive as the pairing above, K’Andre Miller and Sean Walker have also been highly efficient for the Hurricanes.
In addition to Miller’s speed, both players contribute offensively like the previous Carolina duo. They lead the league in Corsi at 273 and rank second in Corsi share among pairs playing at least 200 minutes together at 58.46 percent. They also rank fourth in expected goals among 100‑minute defense pairs at 11.74.
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