Pavel Dorofeyev Buried the Ducks in Overtime and Now Vegas Is One Win Away From the Western Final

Pavel Dorofeyev ended Game 5 in overtime, and the Golden Knights are sitting pretty with a 3-2 series lead over Anaheim. Jack Eichel set up the goal, and just like that, Vegas is on the verge of punching their ticket to the next round. This is the kind of clutch moment that wins playoff series.

How the Knights Got There

It was a back-and-forth battle all night. Nico Hischier gave Vegas the lead on a sly backhanded rebound, but the Ducks wouldn't go down quietly. Dominik Kubalik scored on a power play with a terrific solo effort that tied things up. Then Trevor Zellweger scored his first playoff goal late in the game to tie it for Anaheim and send the teams to overtime.

That's when Dorofeyev and Eichel took over. The setup was clean, the finish was final, and Vegas walked out of Game 5 with the win they absolutely needed.

What This Means for the Series

The Knights are one win away from the Western Final. They can close it out at home, and given the way Dorofeyev is playing right now, the Ducks have their hands full. Anaheim showed they can compete and battle back, but Vegas has the momentum and the experience. That's a dangerous combination in the playoffs.

Game 6 is coming, and the Ducks need to find a way to extend this series. But sitting down 3-2 with Dorofeyev playing like this? That's a tough spot to climb out of.

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