After three months out of the lineup, Mark Stone’s return has reignited the Vegas Golden Knights with his playmaking ability and trademark goal celebrations, which energize both his team and the home crowd.
In just his second game back since undergoing back surgery, Stone delivered two key third-period goals and added an assist to help Vegas secure a 5-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets in Game 2, tying the first-round series.
“The best players come through at the biggest moments, and that’s exactly what Mark did,” said Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo. “I’ve played with many great players, but not many can impact the game on both ends like he does. He’s an incredible leader.”
Chandler Stephenson and William Karlsson each contributed a goal and an assist, while Jack Eichel netted his first career playoff goal. Phil Kessel and Pietrangelo added two assists each, and Laurent Brossoit made 31 saves to secure the win.
Stone’s goals were his first since January, as he underwent surgery on January 31 and returned just in time for the playoffs.
“I didn’t want to miss this,” Stone said. “When I got traded here, this was the team I wanted to go to battle with. Just being back on the ice means everything to me.”
Adam Lowry and Kevin Stenlund scored for the Jets, and Connor Hellebuyck stopped 34 shots in the loss.
Game 3 is set for Saturday afternoon in Winnipeg.
“They were the better team tonight, no doubt,” said Jets coach Rick Bowness. “We made it too easy for them, especially with some of the goals we gave up. We’ll address it and be ready for Saturday.”
Lowry gave Winnipeg a 1-0 lead on a power play at 9:18 of the first period, redirecting Neal Pionk’s shot from the point. It was Lowry’s third consecutive goal in the series, following his two late goals in the Jets’ Game 1 win.
The Jets dominated the first period, outshooting Vegas 17-8. Tensions ran high as three fights broke out and 18 minutes of penalties were handed out.
“We were off our game in the first period,” admitted Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy. “Our veteran players stepped up and pulled us back into the fight. We had an honest conversation during the break, which paid off.”
Vegas bounced back in the second period, taking their first lead of the series with goals from Karlsson and Eichel. Karlsson fired a shot from the slot, and Eichel redirected a pass to make it 2-1.
Stenlund tied the game at 2 for the Jets with a goal off a 2-on-1 breakaway late in the second period, but the Knights took over in the third, scoring three goals to seal the win.
BLOODIED BUT UNDETERRED
The physical toll of the series continued to affect the Jets. After Morgan Barron needed 75 stitches in Game 1 from a skate to the face, goalie Connor Hellebuyck took a blow to the helmet from Eichel’s stick in Game 2, leaving him bloodied near his left eye.
Despite the injury, Hellebuyck made a stunning glove save moments earlier to deny Stephenson on a power play, keeping the Jets in the game.
PERSONNEL UPDATES
Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers remained sidelined with an upper-body injury, though coach Rick Bowness lists him as day-to-day. Ehlers last played on April 11 but had expressed confidence in his readiness before the series.
Adin Hill served as the Golden Knights’ backup goalie instead of Jonathan Quick, who had been No. 2 heading into the playoffs. Hill, with a 16-7-1 record and a .915 save percentage this season, hadn’t played since March 7 due to a lower-body injury.
Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb left the game in the third period after delivering a big hit along the boards and did not return.