Pavel Dorofeyev’s 8-word reaction to clutch Game 5 OT winner vs. Ducks

Despite allowing the Anaheim Ducks to tie the score late, the Vegas Golden Knights moved to within one victory of their second Western Conference Final trip in four years after a 3-2 overtime win in Game 5 of their second-round series at T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday night.

Pavel Dorofeyev was the hero, suffering an injury scare in the contest but returning to score Vegas’ biggest goal of the 2025-26 season so far.

“Yeah, feels special,” Dorofeyev told reporters afterwards, per NHL.com’s Nicholas J. Cotsonika. “I think we need it.”

The 25-year-0ld blocked a shot in the second period and briefly left the game; but was able to return and send his team to California with a 3-2 series lead. He batted the puck past Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal just over four minutes into the extra frame.

“To be honest with you, I can’t even tell you what happened there. I just saw the puck, just got my stick on it and thankfully got it,” he said of the goal. “It was so good. I mean, score first OT in the playoffs, it’s awesome.

“It’s what I got to do. It’s just my job.”

It was an inspired performance for the Russian, who is up to seven goals and nine points in 11 games in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. It’s been a coming out party for the forward, who has found a home on the top line alongside Jack Eichel and countryman Ivan Barbashev.

He also earned high praise from his head coach after the triumph.

“The puck seems to follow him, huh?” John 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.”

It was a clutch performance for Dorofeyev, and the Golden Knights will now have an opportunity to silence the Ducks in Game 6 on Thursday night. Puck is set to drop on yet another critical contest just past 9:30 p.m. ET from the Honda Center in Anaheim.

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