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Jack Eichel C | LV
Golden Knights' Jack Eichel: Earns two helpers Thursday
Eichel logged two assists, including one on the power play, and added two PIM, two hits and four blocked shots in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Eichel played a part in both of Pavel Dorofeyev's goals, but the Golden Knights fell short. They're now behind 3-2 in the series, and Eichel's quiet production has played a part in that. He's been held to four assists over five games against Carolina. Eichel has a total of two goals, 20 helpers, 50 shots on net, 18 hits, 25 blocks, 14 PIM and a plus-5 rating over 21 playoff appearances, and he'll need to be at his best in Sunday's must-win Game 6.
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Pavel Dorofeyev RW | NYR
Golden Knights' Pavel Dorofeyev: Two goals not enough in Game 5 loss
Dorofeyev scored twice on three shots in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Dorofeyev entered the contest on a six-game point drought. He snapped it with the opening goal at 6:52 of the first period, a power-play tally, and he added an even-strength goal in the third, but the Golden Knights couldn't rally off that. Dorofeyev is up to 12 goals, four assists, 52 shots on net and a plus-3 rating over 21 playoff appearances. Vegas will need him to get hot one more time as the team faces elimination in Game 6 on Sunday.
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Carter Hart G | LV
Golden Knights' Carter Hart: Can't break four-goal curse
Hart allowed four goals on 24 shots in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Hart has allowed four goals in each game in this series, and the Golden Knights' offense looks to be wilting under the pressure of having to out-score his mistakes. The 27-year-old took consecutive losses for the first time since the first round with Thursday's loss. He's down to 14-7 this postseason while adding a 2.59 GAA and a .907 save percentage in 21 appearances. Head coach John Tortorella showed no regret in sticking with Hart on Thursday, per Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal, calling an inquiry about a potential switch to Adin Hill a stupid question. That suggests Vegas is likely to ride with Hart in Game 6 on Sunday, pending a potential change in strategy in the next few days. Vegas is one of two teams to have won at least one round while also utilizing just one goalie this postseason.
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Sean Walker D | CAR
Hurricanes' Sean Walker: Chips in with helper
Walker notched an assist and four hits in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Golden Knights in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Walker has been more of a defensive presence throughout the playoffs. This was his first point since Game 2 of the second round versus the Flyers. Walker has a total of three assists with 27 shots on net, 66 hits, 29 blocked shots, 16 PIM and a plus-9 rating over 18 postseason appearances in a top-four role.
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Shayne Gostisbehere D | CAR
Hurricanes' Shayne Gostisbehere: Deals two power-play assists
Gostisbehere notched two power-play assists in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Golden Knights in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Gostisbehere's last five points, all helpers, have come with the man advantage. He had a hand in both of Andrei Svechnikov's tallies in Thursday's win. Gostisbehere is up to three goals, nine assists, 10 power-play points, 24 shots on net and a plus-2 rating over 18 playoff outings.
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Nikolaj Ehlers LW | CAR
Hurricanes' Nikolaj Ehlers: Distributes three assists
Ehlers notched three assists, including two on the power play, and added four PIM in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Golden Knights in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Ehlers had two penalties for putting the puck over the glass in this contest, but he more than made up for it with his generosity on offense. This was his second three-point game in a row, and he's up to eight points over five contests against Vegas. Throughout the postseason, he's produced seven goals, 10 helpers, 36 shots on net, 14 hits and a plus-8 rating across 17 appearances as a vital part of the Hurricanes' offense.
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Jordan Staal C | CAR
Hurricanes' Jordan Staal: Extends goal streak in Game 5
Staal scored a goal on three shots and added five hits in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Golden Knights in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Staal scored for the fifth game in a row, a span in which he has six goals and an assist. He's the fourth player in Stanley Cup Finals history to open the series with a five-game goal streak, and the first to do that since Jean Beliveau in 1956. The legendary run has Staal up to eight goals, four assists, 35 shots on net, 84 hits and a plus-6 rating over 18 playoff outings. While playoff points leader Mitch Marner could still prevail, Staal is making a late case to get his name on the Conn Smythe Trophy if the Hurricanes can win one more game.
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Sebastian Aho C | CAR
Hurricanes' Sebastian Aho: Tickles twine in win
Aho scored a goal on two shots in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Golden Knights in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Aho snapped a four-game goal drought with the second-period tally, which stood as the game-winner. He's picked up a goal and four assists in five outings versus Vegas in this series, so he's still done his part on offense as a facilitator. Overall, the top-line center is at five goals, 12 points, 36 shots, 25 hits and a plus-3 rating across 18 playoff appearances.
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Andrei Svechnikov RW | CAR
Hurricanes' Andrei Svechnikov: Tallies twice in Game 5 win
Svechnikov scored a pair of power-play goals and added two hits in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Golden Knights in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Svechnikov put the Hurricanes ahead with his second-period tally and added an insurance goal in the third. This was his first multi-point effort since Game 3 of the second round versus the Flyers. The winger is up to six goals, 11 points, 50 shots, 68 hits, 24 PIM and a minus-3 rating over 18 playoff outings. With members of the top line scoring three of the Hurricanes' four goals Thursday, Svechnikov's offense looks to be activated just in time to help close out the series.
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Brandon Bussi G | CAR
Hurricanes' Brandon Bussi: Puts Carolina one win away
Bussi stopped 23 of 25 shots in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Golden Knights in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Getting the start for the second game in a row, Bussi again delivered a winning performance. He's allowed six goals on 65 shots over his three appearances since taking over in relief of Frederik Andersen in Game 3. At this point, the crease looks to belong to Bussi, who will have two chances to get the last win necessary for the Hurricanes to claim their second championship. Game 6 is set for Sunday in Vegas.