Dorofeyev Shines in Milestone Game, But Golden Knights Fall in OT to Canadiens
Pavel Dorofeyev made his 200th NHL game one to remember, lighting the lamp twice and nearly willing the Golden Knights to a win on the final stop of their road trip. But despite his efforts, Vegas came up short in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Canadiens on Tuesday night at Bell Centre, wrapping up the swing with a 1-2-1 record.
Jake Evans played hero for Montréal, burying the game-winner just 1:02 into the extra frame on a 4-on-3 power play. The Canadiens erased an early deficit, then capitalized on a late tripping call that carried into overtime - and made it count.
Let’s break it down.
Dorofeyev Delivers Early - and Often
If there were any nerves heading into game No. 200, Dorofeyev didn’t show it.
He got Vegas on the board early with a slick unassisted goal, jumping on a turnover and finishing a two-on-one with confidence. It was the kind of play that shows why he’s becoming a key piece in the Golden Knights’ forward group - instinctive, opportunistic, and clinical with the finish.
That goal gave Vegas a 1-0 lead after one period, a welcome change of pace after a slower start in Ottawa the night before. Dorofeyev’s early strike also set the tone physically and mentally - Vegas came out with more pace, more control, and more bite.
Montréal, to their credit, didn’t sit back. They pushed early, generating speed through the neutral zone and forcing Akira Schmid to make a couple of tough stops - including on Cole Caufield and Ivan Demidov. But Vegas weathered the storm and generated cleaner looks as the period wore on, putting Jakub Dobes to work at the other end.
A Second Period Full of Swings
The middle frame had just about everything - penalties, challenges, momentum shifts - and by the end of it, the scoreboard had flipped.
Vegas started the period with a penalty just 36 seconds in when Ivan Barbashev tripped Jake Evans. The Knights killed it off, but the Canadiens kept the pressure on.
They thought they had tied it late in the period, but a successful Vegas challenge erased a goal due to an offside entry. It was a brief reprieve.
Just minutes earlier, Phillip Danault had already tied the game at 1-1, tipping in a sharp feed from Zachary Bolduc. Then, at 8:55, Caufield - who’d had a goal wiped off the board - got one that counted, finishing a slick passing sequence with Noah Dobson and Mike Matheson to give Montréal its first lead of the night.
Vegas had chances to answer, including a couple of odd-man rushes. Jack Eichel tried to set up Mark Stone on one, but the puck bounced over Stone’s stick before he could get a clean shot off. Meanwhile, Schmid did his part to keep the Knights within striking distance, turning aside several quality looks as the Canadiens pressed.
Third-Period Push, But the Ending Belongs to Montréal
Down 2-1 entering the third, Vegas came out with urgency - and it showed. They started stacking offensive zone time, drew two power plays, and peppered Dobes with shots.
But the Montréal netminder held his ground, and the goalposts chipped in too. Noah Hanifin rang one off the right post, and Tomas Hertl hit iron on another chance.
Finally, with just over three minutes left in regulation, Dorofeyev struck again. Ben Hutton and Braeden Bowman worked the puck to the crease, and Dorofeyev got a stick on it for the tip-in, tying the game at 2-2 and notching his second of the night. A milestone game, and a clutch performance.
But the drama wasn’t done.
Vegas went to the power play with 1:37 left after Oliver Kapanen was called for interference. The Knights had their chances - including a dangerous look from Stone - but couldn’t convert. Then came the turning point: with 33 seconds left in regulation, Rasmus Andersson was whistled for tripping, giving Montréal a 4-on-3 advantage that carried into OT.
That’s where the Canadiens sealed it.
Schmid made a couple of big saves early in overtime, including one on Juraj Slafkovsky. But after a clean zone entry and a sharp pass from Alexandre Texier, Jake Evans found space and buried the winner to end it at 1:02.
What’s Next for Vegas
The Golden Knights now head back to T-Mobile Arena to start a three-game homestand. First up: the Dallas Stars on Thursday, Jan.
- Dallas comes in with a 29-14-9 record, while Vegas sits at 25-13-12.
Two nights later, it’s the Seattle Kraken on Saturday, Jan. 31. Seattle enters at 22-19-9, and Vegas will be looking to build momentum on home ice.
Then it’s back on the road for a quick trip to Anaheim on Sunday, Feb. 1, to face the Ducks. Anaheim is 28-22-3, and the Golden Knights - now 25-14-12 - will be aiming to close out the week on a high note.
Final Takeaway
Dorofeyev’s two-goal night was a bright spot, and Schmid stood tall in net, but the Golden Knights couldn’t quite close the deal in Montréal. Special teams made the difference - and in a tight game like this, one late penalty can flip everything. Vegas has shown flashes of strong play throughout the trip, but consistency and execution in key moments will be the focus as they return home.
The good news? Dorofeyev looks like he’s just getting started.