As the National Hockey League playoffs heat up, teams are turning to their defensive prowess to propel them to Stanley Cup glory. According to a recent analysis by NHL.com, the size and length of a team's defensemen can be a crucial factor in determining their championship hopes. With the physicality and speed of the game increasing each season, teams with towering defensemen who can shut down opponents' top scorers are emerging as top contenders. Will the likes of the Colorado Avalanche's towering blue line or the Tampa Bay Lightning's stingy defense be the key to unlocking the Stanley Cup?
Size, length on defense go long way to determining Stanley Cup hopes NHL.com
