Pavelski has slowly grown into the captaincy. His game, and his importance, have grown each year since his arrival for the 2006-07 season.
He scored 78 points this season, the second-highest total of his career. His 38 goals led the team and also were his second-best performance of his career.
But it is not the volume of goals and points that matter these days. It is the circumstances under which they are made.
The captain has become clutch, growing more comfortable in the biggest moments with each previous success.
Pavelski was taken out of the game early by a Nashville team desperate to even up this series. The Predators concentrated on shutting down San Jose's top line, and they succeeded.
But then they blinked, getting as crazy a too-many-men penalty as you will ever see. Thirty-eight seconds into the power play, Pavelski tipped a slap shot by defenseman Brent Burns and the puck found its way onto the stick of center Logan Couture for the game's first goal.
The Predators did tie it, but Pavelski scored what is a trademark goal for him. Finally, with the Nashville net vacated for an extra attacker, Pavelski set up Thornton for an empty-net goal, one that proved to be the game-winner after Nashville's Ryan Johansen scored in the final seconds.
It's called leading by example, and Pavelski has perfected it in the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"There's nobody better around the net, whether it be tipping, screening, finding ways to put the puck in the net," defenseman Paul Martin said. "Obviously, he's not the fastest skater, but he finds a way to get around the rink.
"He competes hard, he's physical when he needs to be. He's smart; his hockey sense is right up there with the best. He wants to win. He deserves to wear that letter. He plays for it and all the guys respect him and play for him."