Vegas Golden Knights left wing Pavel Dorofeyev (16) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers goaltender during the first period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024.
Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024 | 2 a.m.
Pavel Dorofeyev’s first NHL goal didn’t happen because he made a nifty move with his stick or fired off a quick-release shot.
The forward used his head. Literally. The puck bounced off his face and over the glove of Blues goalie Jordan Binnington last March in St. Louis.
The key to that play, inadvertently or not, was Dorofeyev going to the front of the net. It’s a trait that’s kept him in the Golden Knights’ lineup and may make it difficult to take him out when the team’s injury-riddled roster nears full strength.
Dorofeyev is taking advantage of the opportunity with five players on injured reserve. He has six points — four goals, two assists — and Vegas has posted a 7-4-1 record with him in the lineup.
How he’s done that is similar to how he scored that first goal: Creating chaos for opposing goalies.
The latest example was Jan. 20 during the come-from-behind win against Pittsburgh when Dorofeyev got in front of Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry and scored the game-tying goal on a pass from Chandler Stevenson.
“This came naturally to him, and that’s what’s helped him get in the lineup for us,” coach Bruce Cassidy said. “He can finish plays in there.”
It can be difficult for offensive-minded players to transition to the NHL. Players relying on their shot or playmaking struggle because they’re comfortable playing on the rush. Getting to the net and being effective that way needs to be taught.
Dorofeyev has been receptive to that.
Because of injuries to Jack Eichel and William Karlsson, Dorofeyev is getting a chance on the top line with Stephenson and Mark Stone. The line has outscored opponents 4-0 at 5-on-5 the past five games together, with Dorofeyev scoring two of the goals.
Dorofeyev did not play Saturday in the 5-2 loss in Detroit due to an upper-body injury. He left Friday’s game against the New York Rangers after taking an elbow to the face from Rangers captain Jacob Trouba. Trouba was suspended two games.
“Just being a natural shooter, he just finds those good, quiet spots. I think that’s why he’s always on the score sheet. He’s smart to find those spots,” Stephenson said. “Playing with a guy like Stoney, he can find you anywhere. (It) bodes well for both of us.”
Dorofeyev has been a complement to Stone and Stephenson, longtime linemates who were reunited Jan. 4 after Stone played the prior 16 games on a line with Eichel.
Cassidy thinks Dorofeyev’s impact is similar to what Brett Howden provided Stephenson and Stone during last season’s run to the Stanley Cup.
Stone, the Vegas captain, had this to say about Dorofeyev: He’s “strong on his stick, makes good, little in-tight plays,” Stone said. “He’s not scared to go to the net. He’s added a good element for us.”
But what will happen to Dorofeyev when everyone’s healthy?
Dorofeyev was the final cut from training camp and lost the third-line, left-wing battle to Paul Cotter. Cassidy felt the Golden Knights needed a more physical player in that role, which is why he went with the 24-year-old Cotter.
But since his call-up this season, the 23-year-old Russian forward has almost as many points (14) as Cotter (17) in 21 fewer games. Cotter went 15 games without a goal before scoring Saturday. Dorofeyev speaks Russian; the team didn’t have an available translator for this story.
“I feel comfortable with wherever we put Pav,” Cassidy said. “He can complement guys, get to the net, but he’s still smart enough and has good enough hands to make those plays so he can get the chance at the net. He knows his fit.”
Cassidy said as Dorofeyev gets stronger, he’ll be more of a load to handle. He’s proving to be difficult to cover at 6-foot-1 and 194 pounds.
Add his hockey sense and IQ that Stephenson says can’t be taught, and Dorofeyev might have a more permanent spot going forward.
“He’s smart, he’s deceiving (and) can shoot the puck better than anybody on the team. (He) seems to be that natural goal scorer,” Stephenson said. “You can see his confidence building. I think he’s solidified himself as an NHLer.”
