Pavel Dorofeyev’s Overtime Goal
In Raleigh, North Carolina, Pavel Dorofeyev‘s recent overtime goal in a Stanley Cup playoff game marked a pivotal moment for both him and the Vegas Golden Knights, propelling them one step closer to the conference finals against the Anaheim Ducks. Remarkably, Dorofeyev, 25, approached the achievement with an unassuming demeanor, saying,
“It’s what I gotta do. It’s just my job.”
This workmanlike attitude resonates deeply with Golden Knights coach John Tortorella, who has taken note of Dorofeyev’s professionalism both on and off the ice.
Significant Contributions
Dorofeyev’s contributions, though perhaps overshadowed by more prominent teammates like Jack Eichel and Mark Stone, have been significant; he has netted more goals (10) than any of them during the playoffs, setting him up for a likely substantial payday as a restricted free agent this summer. Commenting on Dorofeyev’s shooting skills, Vegas forward Colton Sissons noted,
“He’s quite special, an elite player.”
Evolution as a Player
Over the course of the playoffs, perceptions of Dorofeyev’s gameplay have shifted. Initially seen as a one-dimensional scorer, he has evolved into a more rounded player. Entering the Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes, he boasts a plus-5 rating, contributing to the Golden Knights’ impressive defensive record of 1.46 goals allowed per 60 minutes while he’s on the ice. His teammate Eichel remarked on Dorofeyev’s progress, stating,
“He’s learned how to do a lot of other things, including a better understanding of his defensive responsibilities.”
Journey to the NHL
Dorofeyev’s journey to this point began in 2019 when he was selected 79th overall in the NHL Draft. Many teams hesitated to pick him, deterred by his ongoing commitments to the KHL and concerns regarding previous Russian players’ experiences in the NHL. Nevertheless, the Golden Knights recognized his potential and seized the opportunity. Since being drafted, Dorofeyev has scored 92 goals, ranking him among the top scorers from his draft class.
Before joining the Knights, he terminated his contract with KHL’s Traktor Chelyabinsk after being demoted to their minor league team, producing only five goals in a total of 72 games. Upon signing an entry-level contract with Vegas, Dorofeyev quickly outperformed his previous statistics, showcasing his goal-scoring ability with the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights by netting 27 goals during one season, which earned him brief appearances with the Knights.
Breakout Season
His breakout moment came in the 2024-25 NHL season when he scored 35 goals, increasing his production further to a career-high 37 goals in the current season, complemented by a standout performance on the power play where he led the team with 30 points. General Manager Kelly McCrimmon acknowledged Dorofeyev’s evolution, emphasizing that the playoffs have further accelerated his development as a player.
Support from Teammates
As he embraces the spotlight that comes with his success, Dorofeyev is buoyed by support from his teammates, particularly his fellow countryman, Ivan Barbashev.
“He speaks Russian too, so we kind of talk to each other a lot. That helps a lot. He’s just an awesome person,”
Dorofeyev shared about his friendship with Barbashev, who has taken pride in his friend’s achievements.
The duo’s camaraderie on the team mirrors Barbashev’s earlier experiences with his own Russian mentor, Vladimir Tarasenko. As Dorofeyev’s profile grows, he remains focused on hockey, insisting that contract discussions are not his concern.
“My job is to just go there and play hockey. I’m not thinking about it. My parents, my agent, everybody around me? That’s their job, not mine,”
he stated, underscoring his commitment to the game as he aims for further success in the ongoing Stanley Cup tournament.
