Pavel Dorofeyev Scores in OT and the Golden Knights Are One Win Away From the Western Final

Pavel Dorofeyev buried the overtime winner at 4:10 of Game 5, giving Vegas a 3-2 series lead over the Ducks and putting the Golden Knights on the edge of advancing out of the second round. This was Dorofeyev's second goal of the night, and it came on a setup from Jack Eichel, the kind of clutch moment that playoff hockey demands.

The Golden Knights Strike When It Counts

Vegas is playing the kind of hockey you need to see in the postseason. Dorofeyev's power play goal earlier in Game 5 showed his ability to execute under pressure, but the overtime winner is the one that will echo through the locker room. With the series on the line and the Ducks fighting for their season, Vegas found a way to deliver the knockout punch. That's the difference between teams that go deep in April and teams that are still around in May.

Anaheim's Late Push Wasn't Enough

The Ducks tied things up when Zellweger scored his first playoff goal late in regulation, showing they had some life left in them. Hertl had also given Anaheim the lead on a slick backhand rebound, and Sennecke cleaned up a rebound off Gauthier to keep the Ducks in the fight. But Vegas answered every punch and delivered the final one when it mattered most.

One More Win and Vegas Moves On

The Golden Knights are sitting pretty with a 3-2 series lead. One more win and they're headed to the Western Final. For Anaheim, it's a must-win situation in Game 6, but momentum is clearly in Vegas' corner after a Game 5 performance like this.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.