Dallas Stars veteran forward Joe Pavelski has already had an accomplished career but can reach yet another milestone over the next few games.
With 1,030 career points, Pavelski currently ranks eighth among U.S.-born players after passing Hall of Fame defenseman Brian Leetch with two assists during Monday’s overtime win over Seattle, and he needs just four more points to move past Doug Weight for seventh all-time.
Pavelski picked up his first assist of the game on Jason Robertson’s 10th goal of the season in the first period, feeding him the puck as the two headed toward the net on a two-on-one break. Later, as the Stars navigated around a delayed penalty, the veteran fired a pass across the ice from the corner to a ready Matt Duchene, who ripped the puck toward the net on a one-timer for the goal.
“That’s what separates elite players at this level from the other guys,” Stars head coach Pete DeBoer told the media on Thursday. “I don’t think that’s learned. I think that’s one of those elite characteristics you get if you’re a Hall of Fame player. … Those are elite traits that those guys have. When you get them on the ice together, they find the space, and they make those plays.”
The 39-year-old spent the first 13 years of his NHL career with the San Jose Sharks, establishing himself among the top players in the league as the franchise’s second-leading all-time goal scorer and third-overall point-getter.
Since joining the Stars in 2019, Pavelski has provided necessary veteran leadership and an added scoring punch with 269 points in five seasons. Playing on a line with Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson this season, he is on pace for an 80-point season, which would be just his second with Dallas and his first since the 2021-22 season.
Pavelski will get an opportunity to add to his point total when the Stars (18-8-4) host the Vancouver Canucks (22-9-2) at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the American Airlines Center before heading on a two-game road trip.
