Golden Knights Fall in OT Again, But Dorofeyev Shines Bright in Montreal
It wasn’t the prettiest game the Vegas Golden Knights have played this season, but after a rough outing in Ottawa, Tuesday night’s overtime loss in Montreal showed at least a flicker of fight. Vegas grabbed an early lead, lost it, clawed back late, and still came up short in a 3-2 OT defeat that capped off a disappointing 1-2-1 road trip.
Let’s break it down - the good, the bad, and the Dorofeyev.
Dorofeyev Puts the Team on His Back
If there’s one player who refused to let this one slip away quietly, it was Pavel Dorofeyev. The winger has been quietly stacking goals this season, but Tuesday night, he made some noise - and did it in style.
His first goal was a solo highlight-reel effort. Dorofeyev forced a turnover deep in Vegas’ own zone, turned on the jets for a 2-on-1 rush with Braeden Bowman, and then absolutely wired a shot past the Montreal netminder. It was the kind of goal that turns heads - not just because of the finish, but because of the full-ice effort that led to it.
Later, with Vegas trailing 2-1 and time winding down in the third, Dorofeyev struck again - this time cleaning up a rebound off a Ben Hutton blast from the point. Less flashy, but just as important. That goal pushed the game to overtime and gave the Golden Knights a chance to steal one.
Both goals came at even strength, and they pushed Dorofeyev’s season total to 24 - tops on the team, now ahead of Tomas Hertl. If he wasn’t already making a case for a contract extension, he’s turning up the volume now.
Schmid Answers the Bell in Net
Goaltending has been a revolving door for Vegas this season. Injuries, inconsistency, and questions have followed the crease all year. But on this night, Akira Schmid gave the Golden Knights everything he had - and then some.
The stat line won’t jump off the page - his save percentage stayed below .900 - but don’t let that fool you. Schmid made several clutch stops, including a massive overtime save on a redirection that kept Vegas alive for a few more shifts. Without his performance, this game could’ve spiraled into a blowout.
The game-winner came on a breakaway, and there’s no blaming the goalie there - it was a defensive lapse that left Schmid hung out to dry. Still, this outing might be his best non-shutout of the season, and it’s a reminder that he’s capable of stepping up when it matters.
With Carter Hart sidelined and Adin Hill struggling, Schmid’s performance couldn’t have come at a better time.
Power Play Falters, Offense Stalls
Outside of Dorofeyev, the Golden Knights’ offense just didn’t bring much to the table. Sure, they put up over 30 shots, but few of them really tested Montreal’s goaltending. The power play, which has been a strength at times this season, went 0-for-4 - and didn’t generate much momentum either.
There were a few questionable penalty calls that put Vegas on the kill, but that’s hockey. What stings more is the lack of execution with the man advantage. This team has too much skill to go that quiet for four straight chances.
Looking Ahead
The Golden Knights return home with a tough road trip behind them and the Dallas Stars waiting in the wings. With the Olympic break on the horizon, every point matters - and every game is a chance to reset.
If there’s a silver lining to this one, it’s that Dorofeyev continues to emerge as a legitimate offensive leader. And if Schmid can string together a few more outings like this, Vegas might just find some stability in net when they need it most.
For now, they’ll take the point, regroup, and get ready for a critical stretch on home ice.