A cell stack includes adjacent first and second battery cells respectively having a positive cell tab, a negative cell tab, and an outer surface. The outer surfaces are flush. The positive cell tab of the first battery cell protrudes from the outer surface of the first battery cell, and the negative cell tab of the second battery cell protrudes from the outer surface of the second battery cell. An isolative shield is positioned adjacent to the outer surfaces, and defines through-slots receiving therein a respective one of the cell tabs. A method includes providing the cell stack, inserting the cell tabs into the pair of through-slots of the isolative shield, positioning a primary surface of the isolative shield adjacent to the outer surfaces of the adjacent battery cells after inserting the cell tabs, and affixing the primary surface of the isolative shield to the cell stack.