Many eyes were on Pavel Dorofeyev heading into Game 1 on Sunday against the Minnesota Wild. He was the leading scorer for the Vegas Golden Knights in 2024-25, scoring 35 goals. Countless questions were floating around the winger and his contributions.
"Will Dorofeyev fold under the spotlight?"
"Is he the key factor to winning another Stanley Cup?"
Lo and behold, the 24-year-old scored a power play goal in a 4-2 win over the Minnesota Wild. It was a common motif for the Golden Knights throughout the season, giving fans a glimpse of what could be if they had a functioning man advantage.
All it took was getting a left-handed shot from afar to remedy that problem. Suddenly, fans forgot about a record-breaking "Misfit" and are raving about the Russian.
"Here comes Dorofeyev busting the door down (Cue Big Bird kicking a door down)!"
"PAVEL SCOROFEYEV, BABY!"
You can just hear fans swooning over their new favorite winger. Suddenly, life is good in Las Vegas. No longer are fans worrying about who will carry the bulk of the goals this season. That's especially true with the Golden Knights breaking the franchise record for most single-season goals with 274 (or 275 if you ask ESPN).
If you thought Dorofeyev was the only X-factor, think again. There's one forward who's also had a breakout season in Las Vegas. His 23 goals propelled the Golden Knights to their fourth Pacific Division title, after all. Like the Russian winger, he's also a speedy forward who can create havoc on the attack.
Who's the mysterious X-factor for the Vegas Golden Knights?
Believe it or not, one player had a "quieter" night despite scoring two goals. Both came in the third period with the latter barely beating the buzzer. He's earned the respect of the fan base and has become a reliable lower-six forward on the Vegas Golden Knights. His name?
Brett Howden. The Justin Bieber-lookalike hasn't spent his time screaming at the paparazzi this season. Instead, he's been a massive threat in transition, bolting down the ice with linemates such as Nicolas Roy and Keegan Kolesar. It's no wonder he's scored 23 goals this season.
Fans will recall Howden's incredible backhand goal on November 2nd against the Utah Hockey Club.
"How did he carry the play and score such an incredible backhanded goal?"
Well, it's part of his evolving game. That game could put the 27-year-old on the map, particularly with performances like Game 1. He took over that game on Sunday, despite some people not recognizing who he is. Well, it's better to let them know now than later.
Why the Golden Knights need Brett Howden to thrive
When you look at teams like the Edmonton Oilers, what do you see? You see a group that struggles without Leon Draisaitl or Connor McDavid playing healthy. It looks even worse when both are absent. The Oilers suddenly look like a beer league hockey team.
The same can even be said for the Golden Knights' opponent, the Minnesota Wild. Sure, they have solid forwards such as Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek. But forward depth is a problem for the Wild. That was apparent on Sunday as Minnesota simply couldn't keep up with Vegas exiting the defensive zone later on.
That's where Brett Howden comes into play. Bruce Cassidy would love to see his lower units score and carry the attack. Why not have the center in the middle of it all and skate in transition for a scoring opportunity? That's what makes him a crucial X-factor during the Stanley Cup playoffs. It's the difference between going deep in the playoffs and leaving for the golf course prematurely.