Golden Knights’ Pavel Dorofeyev earns John Tortorella truth bomb after heroic Game 5

The Vegas Golden Knights are one win away from another Western Conference Final, and it wouldn’t be possible without the heroics of Pavel Dorofeyev, who added another layer to his growing legend with an overtime winner in Game 5 against the Anaheim Ducks. Dorofeyev has been stepping up largely for Vegas all season, and it even led to some praise from head coach John Tortorella after the game, according to NHL.com’s Nicholas J. Cotsonika.

“The puck seems to follow him, huh?” Tortorella said. “Doesn’t say much. Just goes and plays. Makes a big play the other night when we came back and scored with the goalie pulled. Has another chance. The puck just seems to follow him. He’s a good player, good two-way player.”

Dorofeyev not only scored the overtime winner on Tuesday night, but he also blocked a shot at the end of the second period that looked like it could knock him out of the game with the way he was carried down the tunnel by trainers. However, he persevered through the injury like hockey players are known to do in the playoffs, and became a hero shortly after.

Dorofeyev had a career year in 2025-26, recording 37 goals and 32 assists. It was the second consecutive season with 35+ goals for the Russian forward, who is proving to be a third-round draft steal for the franchise. With his contract expiring at the end of this season, the forward is in line for a massive raise, and the Golden Knights are going to have to find a way to fit him in.

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