Jack Eichel and Pavel Dorofeyev Surge to NHL Scoring Leads: Golden Knights Dominate 2025 Early Season

In a stunning display of offensive firepower, Jack Eichel and Pavel Dorofeyev have catapulted to the top of the NHL scoring charts, propelling the Vegas Golden Knights to an unbeaten streak through the first 12 games of the 2025 season. Eichel‘s 28 points, including 10 goals and 18 assists, make him the league’s point leader, while Dorofeyev’s blistering 14 goals have him edging out the competition for the goal-scoring crown. This dynamic duo’s hot start has Vegas fans dreaming of another Stanley Cup run, just two years after their triumphant 2023 victory.

Eichel’s Visionary Playmaking Redefines Golden Knights’ Attack

Jack Eichel, the Golden Knights’ captain and former first-overall pick, has always been a force, but his 2025 performance feels like a revelation. With 28 points in just 12 games, Eichel is not only the NHL’s scoring leader but also showcasing a level of playmaking that has analysts comparing him to the league’s elite centers like Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. His assists alone—18—rank second league-wide, highlighting his uncanny ability to thread the needle through defenses.

“Eichel’s vision is on another level this year,” said Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy in a post-game presser after a 5-2 rout of the Colorado Avalanche. “He’s seeing plays two steps ahead, and it’s lifting everyone around him.” Eichel’s impact extends beyond numbers; he’s averaging nearly 22 minutes of ice time per game, up from last season’s 20.3, and his plus-15 rating underscores his two-way dominance.

Delving deeper into Eichel’s stats, his shooting percentage sits at a career-high 25%, with five of his goals coming on the power play. This surge comes after a summer of focused training in Las Vegas, where Eichel worked with skills coach David Lascek to refine his wrist shot and edge work. “I feel healthier than ever,” Eichel told NHL.com earlier this month. “The neck surgery from a few years back is ancient history—I’m playing free now.”

The ripple effect on the Golden Knights is profound. Teammates like Mark Stone and William Karlsson have credited Eichel’s leadership for their own upticks in production, with Stone notching eight assists in the same span. Vegas’s power play, which ranked 15th last season at 21.4%, is now humming at 32.5%, largely thanks to Eichel’s setup wizardry. As the NHL’s scoring leaders duo anchors the top line, opponents are scrambling to adjust, often double-teaming Eichel and leaving secondary scorers open.

Historically, Eichel’s journey to this point has been one of resilience. Traded to Vegas from Buffalo in 2021, he missed significant time due to injury but exploded for 68 points in 65 games during the 2023 championship run. Now, at 28 years old, he’s in his prime, and his current pace projects to over 120 points—potentially MVP territory if sustained.

Dorofeyev’s Breakout Goal Frenzy Shocks NHL Defenses

Pavel Dorofeyev, the 24-year-old Russian winger, was supposed to be a depth player for the Golden Knights entering 2025, but he’s redefined expectations with 14 goals in 12 games, making him the NHL’s undisputed goal-scoring leader. His sniper’s touch has turned heads league-wide, with five multi-goal games already etching his name in early-season lore.

“Dorofeyev is a revelation,” marveled ESPN analyst Kevin Weekes on a recent broadcast. “He’s got that pure release—defensemen don’t see it coming.” Dorofeyev’s goals include a league-high six from in close, showcasing his net-front presence, and three on the penalty kill, a rare feat that has Vegas’s special teams unit ranked first overall.

Drafted 81st overall in 2019, Dorofeyev spent time developing in the KHL before joining Vegas full-time in 2023. Last season, he tallied 13 goals in 64 games, a solid but unremarkable output. This year, everything has clicked: his shooting percentage has jumped to 28.6% from 12.4%, and he’s generating 3.2 shots per game. Teammates point to his chemistry with Eichel as the catalyst. “Pavel’s always in the right spot,” Eichel said after assisting on Dorofeyev’s hat trick against the Seattle Kraken. “He’s making my job easy.”

Statistically, Dorofeyev’s hot streak is bolstered by Vegas’s improved forecheck, which has led to 22% more odd-man rushes this season. His goals have come against top goaltenders like Igor Shesterkin and Andrei Vasilevskiy, proving it’s no fluke. Off the ice, Dorofeyev’s quiet demeanor belies his intensity; he’s been studying tape obsessively, emulating snipers like Auston Matthews.

The broader impact on the Golden Knights can’t be overstated. Dorofeyev’s scoring has eased pressure on veterans, allowing the team to roll four lines effectively. In a 4-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers, his empty-netter sealed the deal, but it was his tip-in goal earlier that swung momentum. As one of the NHL scoring leaders, Dorofeyev’s emergence has Vegas boasting the league’s highest goals-per-game average at 4.2.

Golden Knights’ Unbeaten Run Signals Dynasty Potential

The Vegas Golden Knights aren’t just riding the coattails of Eichel and Dorofeyev; the entire team has transformed into an early-season juggernaut, sitting atop the Pacific Division with a 10-0-2 record. Their dominance is multifaceted, blending elite scoring with shutdown defense and stellar goaltending from Adin Hill, who’s posting a .935 save percentage.

Key to this start is the depth scoring beyond the top duo. Secondary contributors like Ivan Barbashev (9 goals) and Jonathan Marchessault (returning as a free agent with 7 assists) have ensured no single line carries the load. Vegas’s forecheck, orchestrated by assistant coach Ryan Craig, has forced 15 turnovers per game, leading to 22% of their goals coming off the rush.

“This group’s bought in,” Cassidy emphasized. “It’s not just Eichel and Dorofeyev—it’s everyone executing.” The Knights’ penalty kill ranks second at 88.5%, a stark improvement from last year’s 12th-place finish, thanks to disciplined play and opportunistic shorthanded tallies, including two from Dorofeyev.

Comparing to past seasons, Vegas’s 2023 Cup win was fueled by a balanced attack, but injuries hampered 2024. Now healthy, they’re averaging 35 shots per game and allowing just 24 against. Standout performances include a 6-0 shutout of the Los Angeles Kings, where Eichel’s three assists set the tone. Rival teams, like the Calgary Flames, have lamented the Knights’ speed: “They’re faster than last year—impossible to contain,” said Flames coach Ryan Huska after a 3-2 loss.

Behind the scenes, general manager Kelly McCrimmon’s offseason moves, including re-signing key defenders, have solidified the blue line. Alex Pietrangelo leads with 12 blocked shots, while Shea Theodore’s 10 assists from the back end complement the forward surge. This holistic approach has the Golden Knights outscoring opponents 50-24, a plus-26 differential that screams contender status.

Rival Teams Scramble as Vegas Duo Disrupts League Balance

The NHL landscape is shifting under the weight of Eichel and Dorofeyev’s exploits, with Eastern Conference powerhouses like the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs voicing concerns over Vegas’s early dominance. As scoring leaders, the duo has forced adjustments: the Panthers, fresh off their 2024 Cup, deployed top penalty killers against Vegas in a recent 4-3 overtime loss, yet Dorofeyev’s game-winner slipped through.

“You can’t let Eichel roam free,” Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov admitted. “He’s dictating everything.” League-wide, coaches are experimenting with matchups—pairing shutdown lines against Vegas’s top unit—but the Knights’ depth exposes those tactics. The Winnipeg Jets, for instance, tried Alex Iafallo’s line on Eichel, only to concede three points in a 5-1 drubbing.

Stats bear this out: Opponents facing Vegas are allowing 1.8 more goals per game than their season average. The duo’s combined 42 points have inflated Vegas’s offensive rating to 115.3, tops in the league. Quotes from peers highlight the surprise: Oilers star Leon Draisaitl called Dorofeyev “a dark horse who could win the Rocket Richard,” referring to the goal-scoring trophy.

In trade rumors, teams like the Detroit Red Wings are eyeing Vegas’s depth, but McCrimmon insists on continuity. The broader NHL context includes a post-lockout emphasis on parity, yet Vegas’s start evokes memories of the 2019 Tampa Bay Lightning’s record season—before their playoff collapse. Analysts warn that while impressive, sustaining this pace requires health and luck, but for now, the Golden Knights are the story everyone’s talking about.

Playoff Projections Soar: Eichel and Dorofeyev’s Path to Another Cup

Looking ahead, the Golden Knights’ trajectory points toward a deep playoff run, with Eichel and Dorofeyev as the linchpins. Projections from The Athletic have Vegas as the Pacific’s top seed, potentially facing rematches with rivals like the Avalanche in the conference finals. Eichel’s projected 115+ points could land him in the Hart Trophy conversation, while Dorofeyev’s goal pace eyes the Rocket Richard with 45+ tallies.

Upcoming challenges include a grueling road trip through the Central Division, starting with the Dallas Stars, where Eichel’s history against Miro Heiskanen will be tested. Dorofeyev, meanwhile, faces increased scrutiny from scouts eyeing him for international play in the 2026 Olympics. Offseason whispers of contract extensions loom—Eichel’s deal expires in 2026, and Dorofeyev’s in 2027—ensuring long-term commitment.

“We’re built for the long haul,” Eichel declared. “This is just the beginning.” With youth infused via prospects like Brendan Brisson waiting in the wings, Vegas’s window remains wide open. Fans are buzzing, ticket sales are up 25%, and the T-Mobile Arena is electric. If the scoring leaders maintain form, the Golden Knights could be hoisting the Cup again come June 2026, cementing their status as an NHL dynasty in the making.

The ripple effects extend to league revenue, with Vegas games drawing record viewership—up 18% from last year. As the 2025 season unfolds, all eyes remain on Eichel, Dorofeyev, and the unstoppable Golden Knights, whose early dominance is rewriting the script for hockey’s entertainment capital.