Keith and Weber were nothing short of magnificent for Canada at the 2014 Olympics, but when Keith bowed out of the World Cup roster on Aug. 24 because he wasn't finished rehabilitating a knee injury, Jay Bouwmeester was named as his replacement.
It was more than a simple in-out transaction, introducing a major question of how Babcock would adjust his defense pairings to mitigate Keith's absence.
Question answered. Weber and Vlasic have combined to make life uncomfortable for any offensive-minded opponents Team Canada has had at the World Cup.
Last Saturday, Babcock asked Vlasic and Weber to essentially tilt the ice in Team Canada's favor in the tournament semifinal against Team Russia.
The pair played against sniper Alex Ovechkin for 13 of Ovechkin's 18 even-strength shifts and three of his power-play shifts in a game won 5-3 by Team Canada.
Ovechkin was limited to one shot on goal and not a single dangerous chance in the semifinal.
Team Europe's top center, Anze Kopitar, will almost certainly receive similar treatment.
Vlasic is plus-4 with four assists and has played an average of 19:04 for Team Canada in the tournament.
Weber, who sat out the final preliminary-round game against Team Europe because Team Canada had already clinched its spot in the semifinal, has played 21:24 minutes per game, second behind defenseman Drew Doughty (22:39).
Meshing with Vlasic, Weber said, might have been a small question mark, but having been teammates in Sochi and for the 2009 IIHF World Championship was an advantage.
"We haven't really played much together but we know each other from being on the same teams and whatnot," Weber said Monday. "It's been a relatively quick adjustment, getting used to him through the pretournament camp there, and we're just going to continue to try to get better as this week goes along."
Weber agreed there was quick chemistry when Team Canada convened its training camp in Ottawa on Sept. 5.
"Yeah, our 'D' corps is so solid and all seven guys can play," he said. "Whoever you're paired with, you're hoping it won't take too long and it shouldn't take too long because most guys can adjust well and they play at this level for a reason."
Asked why it's been such a good fit, Weber simply pointed to having so many quality teammates.
"Our team's been playing solid hockey," he said. "When you play well as a team, it seems to go well for everyone. Obviously individually, guys have to step up and play different roles or whatever they're asked at this tournament, and I think it's gone pretty well so far."
Team Canada has given up a tournament-best six goals in four games. Goalie Carey Price has started three of those games and has endorsed Vlasic's fit with Weber.
"He (Vlasic) is just so steady," Price said. "He doesn't make very many mistakes out there. Look at all those D-men, they're pretty rock-solid. They all move pretty well and (have) hockey smarts. That's why they're here. I'm glad to see it because he's definitely a professional."
