The Vegas Golden Knights are one win away from hockey immortality, and according to insiders, the secret weapon behind their surge might not be on the ice — it could be a retired veteran on the other end of a phone line.
Sources close to the Golden Knights locker room have reportedly buzzed about a mysterious call that took place earlier this postseason — a call that allegedly changed everything for forward Tomas Hertl. And it wasn’t from a coach or a sports psychologist. It was from Joe Pavelski, the longtime NHL warrior who famously played a record 201 playoff games without ever hoisting the Stanley Cup.
Hertl, 32, delivered a massive go-ahead goal with under four minutes left in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, a 5-4 thriller that left the Carolina Hurricanes reeling. The Czech star now has four goals this postseason, but what fans don’t see is the behind-the-scenes pep talk that may have sparked his resurgence.
“He was a great goal-scorer,” Hertl reportedly said after the game, crediting Pavelski with a critical phone conversation. “He kind of called me and talked to me about what to do.”
Captain America’s Playoff Wisdom
Pavelski — known affectionately as Captain America — has 14 career playoff goals in a single postseason run and led two different teams to the Final. Sources say his advice to Hertl focused on reading defensive gaps and staying patient during high-pressure moments. One league insider told us that Pavelski’s counsel is considered “gold” among current players, especially those who shared the ice with him in San Jose.
Hertl and Pavelski were teammates on the Sharks during the 2016 Stanley Cup Final run, and although that team fell short, the bond clearly remains strong. Now, with the Golden Knights one win away from a title, that old connection could be the difference.
Is Pavelski the Real MVP?
Some observers are reportedly wondering whether Pavelski deserves an unofficial assist on Hertl’s recent offensive outburst. The Golden Knights forward not only clinched Game 1 but also helped orchestrate a stunning comeback against the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Finals. According to one source, Hertl has been “unrecognizable” since the call — more composed, more lethal, and playing with a veteran’s poise.
As the series shifts to Raleigh for Game 2, the question on everyone’s lips is simple: can Hertl keep this hot streak alive? And if he does, will Pavelski finally get a taste of championship glory — even from afar? One thing is certain: when that phone rings and it’s Joe Pavelski, you don’t send it to voicemail.
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