Joe Pavelski's "Captain America" nickname never has been more fitting.
With his goal at 13:15 in the third period of Game 5 of the 2020 Stanley Cup Final, Pavelski now has the most playoff goals by a U.S.-born player (61), breaking a tie with Joe Mullen.
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Pavelski scored 48 of those 61 playoff goals during 12 postseason appearances in 13 years with the Sharks.
But Pavelski's goal did more than just make him the most prolific American goal scorer in playoff history. It also kept the Dallas Stars from losing the Stanley Cup Final.
Pavelski's goal tied Game 5 at 2-2Â and sent it to overtime. In the second overtime period, Corey Perry scored to give the Stars a 3-2 win, forcing Game 6.
San Jose Sharks
As for Pavelski, the former Sharks captain has been on a roll during the series. He now has four goals and one assist, and he will look to add to those totals Monday.