Mark Stone had a goal and an assist in his return to Ottawa, helping lead the Vegas Golden Knights to a 4-2 victory over the Senators on Thursday night in Peter DeBoer’s first game as Vegas’ new head coach.
The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Golden Knights, who had parted ways with former coach Gerard Gallant on Wednesday. Paul Stastny, Chandler Stephenson, and Ryan Reaves also scored for Vegas.
Stone, who played his first game back in Ottawa, where he spent the majority of his first eight NHL seasons, was traded to Vegas last February. During the first TV timeout, Stone was honored with a video tribute, and Senators fans gave him a standing ovation. Stone acknowledged the crowd by taking to the ice and giving them a thumbs-up in appreciation.
Marc-Andre Fleury made 33 saves for Vegas, tying New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist for fifth place on the NHL’s all-time career wins list with 458 victories.
Craig Anderson stopped 39 shots in his first appearance since January 7, but the Senators extended their winless streak to nine games (0-5-4). Ottawa has struggled offensively during the skid, managing just 19 goals. Vladislav Namestnikov and Connor Brown scored for the Senators.
Vegas took a 1-0 lead in the first period and added to it late in the second when Stone scored with a wraparound goal.
Stephenson extended Vegas’ lead to 3-0 early in the third period, capitalizing on a giveaway by Ottawa’s Thomas Chabot and scoring a short-handed goal.
Ottawa responded quickly when Chris Tierney set up Namestnikov for a one-timer just one minute later.
Vegas made it 4-1 when Anderson got caught behind the net, and Reaves took advantage by scoring his sixth goal of the season.
The Senators cut the deficit to 4-2 when Brown scored on a power play, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap.
Vegas got on the board just 36 seconds into the game when Stastny and Stone executed a give-and-go, with Stastny finishing for his 13th goal of the season.
Game Notes:
- Jean-Gabriel Pageau was a late scratch for Ottawa due to an upper-body injury.
- Connor Brown played his 300th career game.
- Scott Sabourin returned to Ottawa’s lineup after being a healthy scratch for five consecutive games.
- Vegas will be without William Karlsson, who is out week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
