When you get the game-winning goal in a Game 1 thriller, fun is more than always. It's a forever feeling, which is what Tomas Hertl experienced after burying the game-winner from Colton Sissons on Tuesday.
Mind you, he's scored four goals and four assists since Game 4 against the Anaheim Ducks. But there was a certain dialogue that was plaguing the Czech Olympian before that time. It involved how he wasn't performing with the Golden Knights and how he'd disappear like he was Casper the Friendly Ghost.
But that "Ghost" is actually a turtle still alive, as proven by his game-winner in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. In fact, he attributes his sudden playoff turnaround to a phone call from one particular San Jose Sharks teammate. His name? Why, that'd be none other than former Golden Knights pest Joe Pavelski.
Tomas Hertl says a call from former teammate Joe Pavelski earlier in the playoffs helped turn his fortunes.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 3, 2026
"He was a great goal-scorer. He kind of called me and talked to me about what to do." pic.twitter.com/vJXfcVWySt
Who would've thought that the San Jose Sharks, of all teams, would inadvertently help the Golden Knights with a Stanley Cup win? I'm sure that wasn't their intention since there's bad blood. After all, there are the occasional Macklin Celebrini/Will Smith fantasies that the younger Gen-Z masses of Sharks fans would rather see. But that's something that we won't discuss here.
Instead, we're discussing how Hertl's performance has helped the Golden Knights since he got that phone call. And yes, Golden Knights fans. You can thank Joe Pavelski for this one, even if it does sound rather unusual to do.
Vegas Golden Knights fans are seeing Tomas Hertl evolve into a key playoff contributor at the right time
Remember when Hertl was traded to the Golden Knights from the Sharks, along with a 2025 third-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick? Out went Vegas's 2023 first-round pick and a 2025 first-round pick, bringing in a big bumper presence for the Golden Knights. Oh, and San Jose retained 17% of Hertl's contract.
Well, the purpose was to see the power play explode to new levels, which happened. At one point, Hertl had the single-season power play goals record before his teammate, Pavel Dorofeyev, shattered it with 20 this season.
The ironic part about Hertl's playoff resurgence is that he doesn't have a single power play goal this postseason. It's been nothing but even strength goals for the former Shark as he's evolved his game to new heights. That's excellent news for a Golden Knights team that relied heavily on the power play during the regular season (24.6%, sixth in the NHL).
Suddenly, the team has another scoring option to rely on, making them even more potent offensively. Now, they can attack Frederik Andersen, who looked pedestrian after a solid postseason showing before Game 1. Imagine the damage they can do if they get more goals from him.
Heck, imagine if he can bury some power play opportunities during the Stanley Cup Final. It would give Golden Knights fans a glimpse of what life was like when he was hanging out with his old buddy, Joe Pavelski. This time, it would be with a much happier ending.
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