When the Vegas Golden Knights acquired Nic Dowd at the trade deadline in March, they were looking for a rugged, veteran presence to anchor the fourth line. The 36-year-old center has delivered exactly that, bringing physicality and reliability to the bottom six as the team prepares to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Final.

Dowd, one of only three NHL players born in Alabama, has never won a championship in his 11-year career. He came closest last season with the Washington Capitals, but that team only won one playoff round. Now, he’s on the cusp of hockey’s ultimate prize.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better spot to land or better teammates,” Dowd said after practice 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.”

Golden Knights coach John Tortorella has praised Dowd’s impact beyond the stat sheet. “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.”

In 16 playoff games, Dowd has three goals and one assist — the assist coming on the series-clinching goal against Colorado in the Western Conference Final. He also has 37 hits, 14 blocked shots, and a strong faceoff percentage.

Dowd anchors a fourth line with wingers Cole Smith and Keegan Kolesar, a trio that grinds down opponents shift after shift. Their contributions have been vital to the Golden Knights reaching their third Stanley Cup Final in nine seasons.

“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.”

The Golden Knights open the Stanley Cup Final on the road against the Hurricanes on Tuesday night.