Golden Knights’ Pavel Dorofeyev will miss Game 6, out day-to-day

As the Vegas Golden Knights look to close out their opening-round series versus the Minnesota Wild on Thursday, the club will have to do so without forward Pavel Dorofeyev in the lineup.

Earlier Thursday, Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy ruled out Dorofeyev for Game 6, adding that his injury status is considered day-to-day, per The Athletic’s Jesse Granger.

Dorofeyev saw 17:32 in ice time in Game 5 before leaving late in the third period due to an undisclosed ailment. While the Golden Knights prevailed 3-2 in overtime, Dorofeyev did not return, ultimately wrapping up the night with five shots and a minus-one rating. Through the series, Dorofeyev has tallied one goal and one assist for two points.

On the season, the 24-year-old Russian-born saw 82 appearances with the Golden Knights in which he collected a team-leading 35 goals along with 17 assists to finish fifth in team scoring with 52 points. Originally chosen by Vegas in the third round of the 2019 NHL Draft, Dorofeyev has spent part of four seasons with the Golden Knights in which he has totaled 55 goals and 30 assists for 85 points through 149 career contests.

Dorofeyev has also played part of three seasons with the AHL affiliated Henderson Silver Knights where through 119 total appearances he has notched 46 goals and 37 assists for 82 points.

Last July, the Golden Knights signed Dorofeyev to a two-year contract extension that carries a $1.835-million cap hit, according to PuckPedia.

Should the Golden Knights eliminate the Wild on Thursday, the club will then face either the Edmonton Oilers or Los Angeles Kings in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. If the Wild find the win column Thursday, a winner-takes-all Game 7 between the two squads is scheduled for Saturday in Las Vegas.