Here we are, entering the weekend of games three and four, with the series between the Golden Knights and Utah Mammoth sitting even at one game apiece. Some of Vegas' usual suspects have shown up big-time, such as Ivan Barbashev and Mitch Marner. Other contributions have come from unexpected names, like Colton Sissons and Nic Dowd. However, if you look at Vegas' playoff scoring, there's one name conspicuously missing so far: Pavel Dorofeyev.
Yep. Through two games, the Golden Knights' leading goal-scorer of the past two seasons has yet to record a point across all six Vegas goals of the series, despite ample power-play time. Is it concerning? For sure, but also, let's try to take a deeper look and see if there's reason that he can reach the same expectations his regular-season performances have created.
Doro has yet to really prove himself in the playoffs
Not to sound harsh, but it's unfortunately true. The 25-year-old winger is now entering what's technically his third playoff run with Vegas. However, seeing as he only played one game in 2024's first round, we'll be generous and call it his second.
Last year was not a run to remember for Doro. Despite his 35 regular-season goals, he registered just one goal and one assist through eight playoff games against Edmonton and Minnesota.
To be fair to him, he did miss the final Minnesota game and a few games against Edmonton with an injury, so he probably wasn't at 100% for the last three games he played. That said, he simply didn't have much of an impact even in his five fully-healthy games, and clocked in at a nasty -7 plus-minus as well.
Through two games this year, it's been more of the same. Doro's one of eight Golden Knights to not record a point in games one and two; of those, four are defensemen, and of the other three forwards, only Brett Howden has also received significant time in the top-6. This is despite being on a line with Mitch Marner and receiving ample power-play time alongside Vegas' top scorers. His advanced stats have been similarly mediocre, with just 0.27 expected goals in game two, after 0.13 in game one.
However, there's still reason for hope
Keep in mind: Doro is 25 and playing his 12th career playoff game tonight. In hockey terms, that's positively miniscule, and for some players, it takes a little while to adjust to the high intensity of playoff hockey. Combine that with how young he is, and it's not as concerning as it might seem.
Add in the fact that he still has a strong support system around him and the reason to keep believing grows. Again, he's playing on the power play alongside elite assist guys like Jack Eichel and the aforementioned Marner; they'll continue feeding him the puck, and eventually, a shot has to go in, right? It's all about maximizing his opportunities.
Here's to breaking his bad luck tonight!
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