Why Pavel Dorofeyev Should Be On the Playoff Roster
A surprising omission from the playoff lineup was the uprising forward, Pavel Dorofeyev. Why should he be on the roster?
1. He's An Offensive Juggernaut
Scoring 13 goals in a season, let alone, 47 games, doesn't happen by accident. Throw in the fact he averaged 13:16 TOI/G this season and the feat is even more impressive. The Russian winger has given the Vegas Golden Knights more punch in their offense.
How so? By having insane moves and controlling the puck well. His dekes are second to none, making him tougher to defend. In essence, Dorofeyev is a player opponents should watch for. They won't know what they're getting with the Russian forward.
Compare him to a player like Brett Howden, who's played 72 games this season and only scored eight goals and 11 assists. Howden accumulated the same amount of ice time as well (13:13 TOI/G), which would make Dorofeyev the more reasonable pick.
2. Does Playoff Experience Honestly Matter? Ask Logan Thompson
While the argument can be made that Brett Howden is more experienced in the playoffs than Dorofeyev, there's another peculiar case that says otherwise. Take Logan Thompson as a perfect example. The goaltender got his first playoff start on Monday and stopped 90% of his shots, winning the game for Vegas.
Granted, the Calgary native wasn't perfect, specifically with the third goal he allowed. However, he did enough for the Golden Knights to steal a road playoff game. That's all you can ask from a goaltender new to the playoff experience.
So what does this have to do with Pavel Dorofeyev? For one, playoff experience doesn't matter in certain aspects. If that were the case, Adin Hill would've started for the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1. Sometimes, it's best to go with the hot hand. It made sense for Logan Thompson and it should make sense for Dorofeyev.
3. The Vegas Golden Knights Would Become More Elusive
Pavel Dorofeyev's offensive abilities are well-known. He's able to protect the puck and make plays for the Vegas Golden Knights. However, the Russian winger is shifty on the ice, making him a tough match-up. Overall, the Golden Knights move at a faster pace while he's on the ice, making them a dangerous rush team.
Granted, things can change in the playoffs. If the unexpected happens, it could provide the forward with the opportunity to prove himself. That way, the legend of Dorofeyev would continue to grow.
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