Nic Dowd’s stats are rarely going to stand out in the box score.
The Vegas Golden Knights center’s impact is going to be felt on the boards, in the corners and in the faceoff circle where he’s doing the dirty work that helps make great teams champions.
“When you get to the playoffs, stars are stars and they need to be your best players,” Knights coach John Tortorella said. “But what tilts it your way are the third- and fourth-line guys and those fifth and sixth defenders. That’s key as far as trying to stay in this and now to get to the ultimate goal of the Stanley Cup. (Dowd) is a big part of that.”
It’s why the Knights traded for Dowd in March, seeking depth at center to help bring a physical, veteran presence to the bottom six. The Knights will open the Stanley Cup Final on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night.
Dowd anticipated a difficult adjustment after seven years in Washington and trying to fit into a new organization in the midst of a stretch run for the Knights.
It went better than anticipated for Dowd, one of just three NHL players ever born in the state of Alabama. He can be the first to win the Stanley Cup.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better spot to land or better teammates,” he said after practice on Friday. “You never know until you know. When it all first happened, it was insane. I couldn’t imagine playing anywhere else. Then you get there and meet the team and get to know the people in the organization, you didn’t realize it could be just as good somewhere else.”
Both sides are pleased with the results.
“He’s glue,” Tortorella said. “He does so many little things. A faceoff guy, a penalty killer. A voice on the bench. Always positive, always trying to help people. That line has put in some great minutes. They score the winning goal and he makes a play on that winning goal. Wins a battle to get the puck. “
His assist on what proved to be the series-clinching goal in the Western Conference Final over Colorado was his first assist of the postseason to go with three goals over the 16 games.
But he has 37 hits and 14 blocked shots while posting a winning percentage in the faceoff circle.
His contributions have helped the Knights reach their third Stanley Cup Final in the nine-year history of the franchise.
It’s uncharted territory for Dowd, however.
Over 11 NHL seasons, he had been part of just one winning postseason series. That came last year with the Capitals.
Dowd had arrived in Washington, off of short stints with the Kings and Canucks, the year after the Capitals had won the Stanley Cup.
His run in Washington included many playoff disappointments, but those heartbreaks have made him appreciate this run even more.
“It’s been a long journey for sure,” Dowd said. “Too many ups and downs to count. But this game is all about consistency and sometimes you get rewarded, sometimes you don’t. It can be a cruel game at times. I think the majority of the time it can be great. You make great friends and meet incredible people. It’s been a privilege for me to play and be a part of both Washington and now this organization which has been incredible to me since I got here.
“Now we have a chance to do something special.”
Dowd has been anchoring a fourth line that has given the Knights valuable minutes.
Cole Smith and Keegan Kolesar have been playing alongside him on the wings, a trio that makes opponents earn every inch of the ice and helps grind them down over the course of a game and series.
They will be massively important to the Knights’ hopes of pulling off another upset against Carolina.
Dowd, 36, is ready for the challenge.
“I’ve been really privileged to be a part of two great organizations,” he said. “And now I get to play for a Stanley Cup. It’s every little kid’s dream.”
Even those born in Alabama.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.
