Dorofeyev scores in OT to give
Golden Knights 3-2 win over Ducks and 3-2 series lead
[May 13, 2026]
By MARK ANDERSON
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Pavel Dorofeyev has made a name for himself with
his shot from the right circle, the epitome of a skilled player
making the best use of his talents by setting the Vegas record for
power-play goals with 20 this season.
But this is the Stanley Cup playoffs and toughness is asked of all
the players.
Dorofeyev took a hard shot off his right knee in the second period
Tuesday night, forcing him to leave the ice for a few minutes. But
Dorofeyev, who earlier had a power-play goal, scored at 4:10 of
overtime to give Vegas a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks, moving
the Golden Knights a victory away from advancing to the Western
Conference final.
“I just blocked a shot,” said Dorofeyev, who has seven goals this
postseason. “It’s kind of a (lousy) part of my job, but it hurts
more when I miss it. I just had to get myself together and get back
on the ice.”
Game 6 of the second-round series is Thursday night at Anaheim.
The Golden Knights can reach the conference final for the first time
since winning the Stanley Cup in 2023. Anaheim, making its first
playoff appearance in eight years, will try force a Game 7 back in
Las Vegas on Saturday.
Tomas Hertl had gone 29 games going back to the regular season
without a goal, but now has two in two games. He also had the
primary assist on Dorofeyev’s power-play goal in the first period.
Jack Eichel had two assists, including the primary one on the
winner.
Carter Hart stopped 34 shots, two nights after allowing four goals
on 23 shots in a 4-3 loss in Anaheim. Hart bounced back from a
similar situation in the opening series, allowing four goals on 12
shots in Game 3 at Utah before winning five of his next six starts.
“We have all the faith in the world in Carter,” said Vegas
defenseman Rasmus Andersson, who disputed the notion Hart was coming
off a down performance. “I look at the Utah series and he was really
good there, and he stole a couple of games for us. ... But every
time you lose a game in the playoffs, it’s about how you bounce
back. I thought all 20 guys who played tonight bounced back and
Carter led that.”
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Vegas Golden Knights right wing Pavel Dorofeyev (16) celebrates his
game-winning goal with defenseman Ben Hutton (17) during overtime of
Game 5 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series
against the Anaheim Ducks Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP
Photo/Candice Ward)
Ducks defenseman Olen Zellweger scored his first
career playoff goal from the left circle to tie it at 2 with 3:05
left in regulation. Beckett Sennecke extended his goals streak to
four games with a power-play score. Mason McTavish and Cutter
Gauthier each has two assists and Lukas Dostal made 29 saves.
“I know this group’s going to bounce back,” Zellweger said. “We have
all playoffs long.”
Ducks center Ryan Poehling was helped off the ice after being
checked hard into the boards by Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb
nearly midway through the first period. McNabb received a
five-minute major for interference and was sent to the dressing room
with a game misconduct, costing the Golden Knights a first-pair blue
liner.
Golden Knights coach John Tortorella said he wouldn’t address
whether the officials made the right call to make that a major
penalty and eject McNabb, but quickly questioned why there wasn’t
call when Vegas defenseman Dylan Coghlan was hit at the end of
regulation.
“I just don’t get it,” Tortorella said.
The Ducks got a goal off the McNabb-induced power play when Sennecke
scored off a rebound. Dorofeyev answered after taking the puck from
Chris Kreider, shifting to the slot and snapping a shot past Dostal.
Hertl’s rebound goal at 4:48 of the third period nearly stood up
before Zellweger took advantage of extended offensive zone time to
force extra play.
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