Now in his 11th full NHL season, Gostisbehere set a career high in points per game (.91), collecting 50 (13 goals, 37 assists) in 55 regular-season games. That included 18 (six goals, 12 assists) on the power play despite battling through a myriad of injuries.
That production has carried over into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, where he has nine points (three goals, six assists), including six (one goal, five assists) on the power play, in 15 games.
“If he played a whole year, it would be interesting to see if he had kept that pace up,” Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “That’s pretty impressive.
“That’s his game. He’s an offensive-minded player, very gifted at it his whole pro life. You’re always asked, ‘What do you do?’ He can put up points. That’s something you’ve got to have.”
Gostisbehere showcased that offensive talent as well in Game 1 of the Final, when he scored short side from the left circle to tie it 4-4 at 11:19 of the third. But the high from that goal was negated shortly after when he lost his man, Vegas forward Tomas Hertl, on the go-ahead and eventual game-winning goal at 16:36.
It was a defensive mistake that Gostisbehere quickly owned up to after the game.
“I took a breather for a second and it went right to their guy,” he said. “That’s how quickly it could happen.”