LAS VEGAS – The Vegas Golden Knights know they’re still developing on the wings, primarily with younger players who have a monumental task of replacing departed forward Jonathan Marchessault.
Forward Pavel Dorofeyev is one of those players that the Golden Knights need to step up to replace some of that goal-scoring.
So far, he’s accepted the challenge.
Dorofeyev’s scored six goals this season – good for second on the team – to go along with three assists. He found the net twice against the Los Angeles Kings and scored four goals in the last five.
Still thinking about this Pavel Dorofeyev backhand
pic.twitter.com/ecoDpLl8cj— Scoot (@slastnightsgame) October 31, 2024
Dorofeyev’s on pace for 44 goals, which would be 31 more than his career-high 13 last season.
Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said that Dorofeyev is finding confidence after a slow start to the season. He’s also seemed to find chemistry alongside Tomas Hertl and Brett Howden on the second line.
“He didn’t have the start he wanted. He had a good preseason, but in the first few games, it took a little while,” Cassidy said. “He’s really caught up now.”
Cassidy credited Dorofeyev’s physicality and overall strength as one of the reasons why he’s found the net more often. He’s noticed that Dorofeyev is stronger on the puck and finding ways to score in the tough areas of the ice.
“He’s more confident in those [tight] areas to hang on to it,” Cassidy said.
Dorofeyev saw his minutes increase due to the lower-body injury to Victor Olofsson. After playing roughly 13 minutes per game in the first four games, he’s averaged at least 15 minutes in each of his last seven – coinciding with Olofsson’s injury and Dorofeyev’s move to the first power-play unit.
“When a door closes, another one opens. Olofsson gets hurt; [Dorofeyev] gets to go on the power play,” Cassidy said. “[Pavel] does a good job. He hadn’t had the offensive chances, and [being on the power play] gives you more touches, and then he scores a goal. That weight is lifted. He gets more confidence.”
Paul Delos Santos is the Las Vegas sports insider for Dice City Sports. Follow him on X at @PaulDelos_.
