Pavel Dorofeyev is making a significant impact as a goal-scorer for the Vegas Golden Knights this NHL season. Through the first seven games, he has scored seven goals, tying for the league lead alongside Mark Scheifele of the Winnipeg Jets and Shane Pinto of the Ottawa Senators. His offensive skills have positioned him as a contender for the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy.
Dorofeyev’s Scoring Prowess
At 25 years old, Dorofeyev led the Golden Knights last season with a career-high of 35 goals. Over the past two seasons, he has accumulated 42 goals in 89 games, placing him ninth in the NHL during that time frame. Since January 1, he has ranked second in regular-season goals with 29 in 52 games, only behind David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins, who has scored 34 in 51 games.
Key Partnerships on the Ice
Dorofeyev is currently playing on the second line with Mitch Marner, who joined the Golden Knights after being acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs, and center Tomas Hertl. He is also a part of the first power play unit alongside Marner, Hertl, and Jack Eichel. Eichel has contributed six goals this season, tying him for fourth in the league.
Impressive Shooting Metrics
- Shot Speed: Dorofeyev ranks fourth among NHL forwards with the hardest shot recorded at 93.33 mph, placing him in the 99th percentile.
- Average Shot Speed: He holds an average shot speed of 64.43 mph, which ranks in the 92nd percentile at his position.
- Shots on Goal: Currently, he averages 3.0 shots on goal per game and ranks second on the team with a total of 21 shots, behind Eichel’s 34.
- Long-Range Shots: Dorofeyev excels in long-range shooting, placing in the 95th percentile among forwards with four long-range shots this season.
Dorofeyev’s goal-scoring ability and impressive metrics highlight his potential as one of the league’s top finishers. His ongoing performance will be crucial for the Golden Knights as they look to build on their success this season.
