(Photo Credit: @NHL on X/Twitter)

Depth scoring is always a big topic this time of year. To win four games out of seven time and time again, you must get contributions from everyone.

In the first three series, that happened in a big way for the Golden Knights. Early in the First Round, the 4th line came through with some huge goals while the top six found their footing. In the Second Round, it was Marner and Howden who carried the mail until Stone, Eichel, and Dorofeyev got in on the action. Then, in the Conference Final, the 1st line of Eichel, Barbashev, and Stone potted five goals.

Through the first three games of the Stanley Cup Final, a lot of VGK’s offense has come from Marner, Karlsson, and Howden (so much so that I wrote about it yesterday). That’s not to say Stone, Eichel, Hertl, and a few others haven’t chipped in, but there’s no question who has been doing the heavy lifting.

As the series progresses, though, if the pattern continues, it may be time for Pavel Dorofeyev to reemerge for VGK. Dorfeyev’s splits from early series to late have been astounding this postseason.

Pavel Dorofeyev by Game
Games 1-3: 1 goal in 12 games
Games 4-6: 9 goals in 7 games

It’s not a coincidence that this has happened for VGK’s leading goal scorer on the season. Understandably, when teams enter a series against the Golden Knights, they come in with a plan on how to limit the most dangerous goal-scoring weapon on the roster. Utah, Anaheim, and Colorado all seemed to figure it out early in the series, but it didn’t generate the results they probably hoped.

Then, these teams have learned that Vegas have other options that are just as deadly. Eventually, they shift their matchups off of Dorofeyev, and that’s when he’s been able to come through. And, the power play has improved for Vegas as they’ve adjusted to the opposing penalty kill, which is where Dorofeyev does a lot of his best work.

He’s played well. He’s had some chances. We’ll be fine. -Tortorella

In Game 4, Carolina’s focus will obviously be on Marner, Karlsson, and Howden. They know that if they can’t find a way to limit that line, they’ll have a hard time keeping up with the Golden Knights. Odds are, they’ll be attempting to put their shutdown line centered by Jordan Staal in that matchup, which will free up Dorofeyev.

Now’s the time for Vegas’ depth to come through and grab VGK a victory that would devastate the Hurricanes. All it takes is one moment for Dorofeyev to change the game and possibly change the series. Game 4 has been the beginning of his turnaround multiple times this postseason; tonight would be the perfect time to do it again.