Mark Stone returns from wrist injury scores tying goal in loss to Ottawa Senators

Mark Stone’s return to the Vegas Golden Knights lineup couldn’t have been scripted better—until the final result. The captain made an immediate impact after missing 16 games with a wrist injury, scoring a crucial third-period goal that salvaged a point against the Ottawa Senators. Unfortunately for Vegas, the 4-3 shootout loss extended their troubling overtime record and left them wondering what could have been despite Stone’s heroic comeback.

The atmosphere at T-Mobile Arena was electric as Stone took the ice for his first game since late October. Fans who had watched their team struggle without its leader were eager to see if the 33-year-old could recapture his early-season form. Stone had amassed 13 points in just six games before suffering the injury, and his absence had been felt deeply during the month-long layoff. Wednesday night’s performance proved he hadn’t lost a step, even if the final score didn’t reward his efforts.

Stone’s comeback performance in detail

Stone wasted no time reminding everyone why he’s the heart and soul of this franchise. Playing 19:58—the third-most minutes among Vegas forwards—he led all forwards in short-handed ice time with 2:17. His conditioning impressed coach Bruce Cassidy, who noted before the game that Stone’s energy and leadership on the bench makes the team better instantly. The captain’s presence shifted the entire team’s dynamic just by stepping onto the ice.

The tying goal that sent the crowd roaring

The defining moment came at 6:40 of the third period with Vegas trailing 3-2. On the power play, Stone attempted a cross-crease pass to Pavel Dorofeyev that initially appeared to miss its mark. But in a stroke of luck that sometimes rewards perseverance, the puck deflected off Senators forward Tim Stutzle’s skate and into the net. Stone’s celebration was characteristically enthusiastic—leaping into the boards and slamming his hand into the glass, a moment that tested the very wrist that had sidelined him.

“You take it and run,” Stone said with characteristic modesty after the game. The goal gave him 14 points in just seven games this season, maintaining his point-per-game pace despite the extended absence. While the goal itself may have been fortunate, Stone’s positioning and hockey sense created the opportunity in the first place.

Game flow and missed opportunities

The Golden Knights faced an uphill battle from the opening faceoff. Shane Pinto scored just 51 seconds into the game on Ottawa’s first shot, finding space under goalie Akira Schmid’s pad from a sharp angle. Jake Sanderson extended the lead to 2-0 with a power-play goal at 13:04, hammering a one-timer through traffic. Brett Howden cut the deficit to 2-1 late in the first period, showcasing the speed and skill of Stone’s new linemate.

Drake Batherson restored Ottawa’s two-goal advantage with just 17 seconds remaining in the opening frame. The first-period defensive struggles marked the first time all season Vegas had allowed three goals in a single period. Jack Eichel’s 250th career goal early in the second period provided hope, but the team still trailed entering the third until Stone’s heroics.

Shootout misery continues for Vegas

The Golden Knights dominated possession in the second and third periods, outshooting Ottawa and controlling play. Stone himself noted, “I’m not sure they had as much as a scoring chance, especially in the third.” Yet the game remained tied through regulation and overtime, sending Vegas to their eighth loss in nine overtime games this season.

Linus Ullmark was phenomenal for Ottawa, stopping all three shootout attempts after making 32 saves in regulation and overtime. Shane Pinto, who opened the scoring, also delivered the final blow with a wrist shot past Schmid’s glove side in the third round. The loss extended Vegas’s streak to seven consecutive overtime/shootout defeats, a concerning pattern for a team with championship aspirations.

The long road back to the ice

Stone’s journey back from this latest injury involved more than just physical healing. It required mental fortitude from a player who’s become all too familiar with the rehabilitation process. Since 2021-22, Stone has missed a staggering 142 games due to various ailments, including two back surgeries, a lacerated spleen, and a pulled muscle that cost him 16 games last season alone.

Frustration and familiarity with rehab

“Every injury is frustrating,” Stone admitted after the game. “I don’t enjoy rehabbing. I’ve unfortunately gotten good at it. I understand the best way to go about it, but no rehab’s fun. I don’t wish it on anyone.” This honest assessment reveals the toll that repeated injuries take on a veteran player, even one as resilient as Vegas’s captain.

The wrist injury this time didn’t impact Stone’s skating ability, which allowed him to maintain his conditioning during the layoff. However, the mental grind of watching teammates compete while stuck in recovery mode wore on him. As he put it bluntly, “It sucks rehabbing, I’m just excited to get back and hopefully stay healthy, knock on wood for the 15th time.” The self-awareness and dark humor show a player who has learned to cope with adversity.

Silver Knights partnership expedites return

A key factor in Stone’s timely return was his willingness to practice with the Henderson Silver Knights, Vegas’s AHL affiliate. While the main roster traveled to Utah and Anaheim over the weekend, Stone stayed behind in Nevada to get full-contact practices and game-speed repetitions with the minor-league club.

“I had a good time down there with the guys,” Stone said. “Really helped expedite the process. Everything’s healed, I got the practices I needed, and I’m ready to go.” Without those opportunities, Stone likely would have targeted Friday’s game against Montreal for his return rather than Wednesday’s matchup with Ottawa. This strategic use of the AHL affiliate demonstrates smart asset management by the Golden Knights organization.

Concerning injury history

The wrist injury adds to a troubling pattern for Stone and the Golden Knights. Since the 2021-22 season, his absences have included:

• Two major back surgeries that cost him significant time
• A frightening lacerated spleen incident
• Multiple upper-body injuries
• The 16-game wrist injury that just ended

Despite playing 66 games last season—his most since 2018-19—Stone has struggled to stay consistently healthy. As the team enters a stretch of three games in four days and 13 contests in December, managing his workload while maximizing his impact becomes crucial.

New line combinations and team chemistry

Stone’s return prompted Cassidy to shuffle his forward lines, creating new combinations that showed promise against Ottawa. Rather than returning to the top line where he played before the injury, Stone skated on the third line with Brett Howden at center and Mitch Marner moving to left wing.

Howden and Marner partnership

The new unit was Vegas’s best in terms of possession metrics, outshooting Ottawa 10-3 when on the ice together and generating a 1-1 goal differential. Howden scored the team’s first goal of the night, and Marner contributed the primary assist while registering four shots on goal.

“I liked the line,” Cassidy said. “Stoney’s really good at drawing people to him, and Howie is good through the middle, so they were able to find some weak-side ice to Marner a couple of times.” Stone’s vision and playmaking ability created space for his linemates, while Howden’s speed and Marner’s skill provided complementary elements.

Stone had previously shown chemistry with Howden during the team’s Stanley Cup run in 2023, making this reunion comfortable for both players. Adding Marner to the mix gave the line a dynamic playmaker who could benefit from Stone’s defensive attention.

Leadership beyond the scoresheet

Coach Cassidy emphasized that Stone’s value extends far beyond his point production. “He’s good on the bench. He’s a leader,” Cassidy noted before the game. Stone’s voice and experience guide younger players through difficult moments, particularly during Vegas’s ongoing overtime struggles.

His power-play goal against Ottawa demonstrated his importance to special teams as well. The Golden Knights have adjusted their man-advantage units during his absence, and Stone’s return provides a dual threat as both a scorer and facilitator from the half-wall.

Defensive responsibility

Stone led all Vegas forwards with 2:17 of short-handed ice time, showcasing his trustworthiness in defensive situations. This versatility allows Cassidy to deploy his captain in any game situation, from protecting a lead to pressing for a tying goal. His hockey IQ and positioning make him effective even when not producing points, though his offensive touch clearly hasn’t diminished.

Golden Knights’ frustrating patterns persist

Despite earning a point and playing what Stone called “some really good hockey,” the loss to Ottawa continued several concerning trends for Vegas. The team now sits at 10-5-8 overall, with eight of those losses coming in overtime or shootout. Remarkably, they’re just one point behind the Anaheim Ducks for first place in the Pacific Division despite these struggles.

Overtime futility reaches critical point

Vegas’s 1-8 record in games decided past regulation represents the worst such mark in the NHL. The team has lost three straight overall and seven consecutive overtime contests, a streak that weighs heavily on a locker room filled with championship expectations. When a team consistently reaches overtime but fails to secure the second point, it suggests either a lack of clutch performance or simple bad luck.

The Golden Knights controlled long stretches against Ottawa, particularly in the second and third periods, yet couldn’t finish the job. “We had every opportunity to end the game,” Stone lamented. “We had the puck on our stick and just couldn’t capitalize.” These missed opportunities in crucial moments define the difference between division leaders and middle-of-the-pack teams.

Standings impact and silver linings

Despite the frustrating overtime record, Vegas remains firmly in the playoff picture. Being just one point out of first place in the Pacific Division provides perspective on the season’s overall success. The team has points in seven of eight games, showing consistency in reaching overtime even if they struggle to win there.

Braeden Bowman extended his point streak to five games (three goals, three assists) against Ottawa, becoming the first undrafted rookie to achieve that since Taro Hirose in 2018-19. This emergence of secondary scoring helps offset Stone’s absence and gives the team depth.

Looking ahead to a busy December

The Golden Knights face a grueling schedule coming up, with three games in four days followed by 13 contests in December. Stone’s return provides a boost, but the team still awaits the return of William Karlsson (lower body), Adin Hill (lower body), and Jeremy Lauzon (undisclosed). Getting healthy while maintaining their position in the standings becomes the primary goal.

Stone’s immediate impact suggests he can handle the workload, but managing his minutes across this dense schedule will test Cassidy’s lineup decisions. The captain’s health remains paramount to any deep playoff run.

What this comeback means for Vegas

Mark Stone’s return provides more than just a statistical boost—it reestablishes the identity of a team built around his all-around excellence. His tying goal against Ottawa, however fortuitous, demonstrated his ability to impact games in crucial moments. Yet the loss also highlighted that one player, even a captain, cannot single-handedly solve systemic issues like overtime struggles.

Internal links for further reading

For more context on Stone’s absence and its impact on the Golden Knights’ power play structure, see our previous coverage on how the team adjusted during his month-long absence. Additionally, his return against Ottawa Senators marked a key moment in Vegas’s season, potentially shifting their trajectory as they enter a critical stretch.

Championship aspirations require consistency

The Golden Knights have proven they can compete with anyone when healthy. Stone’s presence gives them the type of two-way forward that championship teams build around. His ability to score, defend, and lead provides a foundation that makes everything else possible.

However, the continued overtime failures represent a mental and tactical hurdle that must be cleared. Teams that consistently lose close games develop bad habits and damaged confidence. Stone’s veteran presence should help steady the ship, but the entire roster needs to execute better in high-leverage situations.

Final takeaway

Stone’s successful return answers the biggest question facing Vegas during his absence: could their captain regain his early-season form? The answer is a resounding yes. The 14 points in seven games speak for themselves, and his all-around impact was evident against Ottawa.

Yet the loss also underscores that Vegas needs more than just Stone’s return to reach their potential. Solving the overtime woes, getting other injured players back, and maintaining consistency across a brutal December schedule will determine whether this team contends for another Stanley Cup or merely makes the playoffs. Stone has done his part by coming back strong. Now the rest of the roster must follow his lead and start turning those overtime losses into wins before the points left on the table cost them home-ice advantage.

The captain is back, healthy, and producing. For Golden Knights fans, that’s reason enough to believe better days are ahead—even if Wednesday night didn’t provide the storybook ending everyone hoped for.