Joe Pavelski hasn't scored in three games, and because he's Joe Pavelski, that's considered a drought.
The San Jose Sharks captain found the back of the net 38 times in the regular season, and leads the postseason with 13 tallies - three more than Pittsburgh Penguins leader Phil Kessel.
With the Stanley Cup Final intensifying, Pavelski's dry spell has been thrust under the microscope, but it isn't fazing him.
"I think they've done a good job, I think," Pavelski told Nick Cotsonika of NHL.com. "I've passed on a few shots recently that maybe I haven't earlier, so get back to the shooting mindset a little bit. There's been a lot of plays where it's been almost there, and they get a stick on it. Not worried about that, because we're creating some chances and it's just that end result hasn't been there."
His teammates alike think he just needs to keep firing.
"He's a guy that just needs to keep swinging the bat," forward Tommy Wingels said. "You talk about a .333 hitter. Does he hit 1-for-3 every game? No. Joe's a guy that might not score for a game or two, and then he'll pop two or three one day."
Five of Pavelski's playoff goals have come on the power play, and San Jose has only earned six man advantages through three games - converting once - which has heavily limited Pavelski's opportunities.
Pittsburgh has played Pavelski tight, but head coach Peter DeBoer is confident he'll deliver.
"I have no doubt he's going to break through here," DeBoer said. "He has all year for us. It's just a matter of time."
