Mark Stone returns from wrist injury scores tying power-play goal as Golden Knights fall to Senators in shootout

The Vegas Golden Knights captain had just tied the game with a power-play goal in his first appearance in more than a month. The celebration tested the same right wrist that had kept him sidelined since late October. Despite Stone’s heroic return, the Golden Knights fell 4-3 to the Ottawa Senators in a shootout, extending their troubling overtime record to 1-8 on the season.

The loss marked Vegas’ seventh straight defeat in extra time, yet the team remains just one point behind Anaheim for first place in the Pacific Division. For Stone, the night represented both personal triumph and collective frustration—his body held up, his impact was immediate, but the result still stung. At 33 years old, the veteran forward has become all too familiar with the rehab process, having missed 142 games since the 2021-22 season due to various injuries including two back surgeries and a lacerated spleen.

The captain’s journey back from injury

Stone’s wrist injury first landed him on injured reserve October 20 after he accumulated 13 points in his first six games. The timing couldn’t have been worse for a Golden Knights team already navigating a crowded injury list. Rather than rushing back, Stone took a methodical approach to recovery, skating with the Henderson Silver Knights of the American Hockey League while his Vegas teammates played in Utah and Anaheim over the weekend.

That AHL stint proved crucial for accelerating his timeline. “If I didn’t have that, I’d probably be looking more at Friday,” Stone admitted after Wednesday’s game. The captain needed game-speed practices to feel confident his wrist could handle NHL action. When he finally stepped onto T-Mobile Arena ice for warmups, fans weren’t sure what to expect from a player who had missed 16 consecutive games.

“Every injury is frustrating,” Stone said. “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. I’m excited to be back.” His candor resonated with a fanbase that has watched their leader battle through multiple significant injuries in recent years. Stone played 66 games last season, his most since 2018-19, but has yet to complete a full 82-game campaign with Vegas.

Stone’s immediate impact despite shootout loss

Any concerns about rust vanished quickly. Stone logged 19:58 of ice time, third-most among Vegas forwards, and remarkably led all forwards in short-handed ice time with 2:17. His conditioning impressed coach Bruce Cassidy, who noted before the game that Stone makes the team better simply by his presence on the bench and in the locker room.

The defining moment arrived midway through the third period. With Vegas trailing 3-2 and on the power play, Stone gathered the puck at the goal line. His first pass attempt flubbed. The second one deflected off Ottawa center Tim Stutzle’s skate and into the net. “You take it and run,” Stone said of the fortuitous bounce. The goal gave him 14 points in just seven games this season, maintaining his torrid scoring pace.

Stone’s line with Brett Howden and Mitch Marner was Vegas’ best in terms of possession, outshooting Ottawa 10-3 when on the ice. Marner moved to left wing for the first time this season, while Howden centered the trio. The chemistry was evident—Howden scored the Golden Knights’ second goal with Marner providing the primary assist. Stone and Howden had previously skated together during Vegas’ 2023 Stanley Cup run, making the reunion feel natural despite the circumstances.

Golden Knights’ overtime woes continue

While Stone’s return provided a storybook narrative, the final result exposed Vegas’ Achilles’ heel. The Golden Knights have now earned eight loser points through 23 games, on pace to surpass their previous season-high of 11. Wednesday’s shootout loss marked their seventh consecutive defeat in extra time, a concerning trend for a team with championship aspirations.

Jack Eichel scored his 250th career NHL goal to get Vegas within one goal in the second period. Brayden McNabb and the penalty kill unit erased two crucial Ottawa power plays in the second frame. Yet when the game went to overtime and then a shootout, Vegas faltered. The Golden Knights went 0-for-3 in the shootout, continuing their struggles in the skills competition.

Coach Cassidy had no updates on other injured players—center William Karlsson, goaltender Adin Hill, and defenseman Jeremy Lauzon all remain sidelined. The team’s ability to stay in contention despite a crowded trainer’s room speaks to its depth, but Stone’s return underscores how important elite talent is in crucial moments. The captain’s power-play goal was exactly what Vegas needed to salvage a point from a game where they trailed by two goals.

What Stone’s return means for Vegas moving forward

Friday’s afternoon matchup against the Montreal Canadiens kicks off a brutal stretch of three games in four days, followed by 13 games in December. Having Stone back in the lineup couldn’t have come at a better time. His ability to play top-line minutes, contribute on special teams, and provide leadership will be tested immediately.

The Golden Knights must solve their overtime issues. While earning points in seven of eight games sounds positive, four have come via overtime losses. In a tight Pacific Division race, those extra points could determine playoff positioning come April. Stone’s presence should help—he has a history of clutch performances and provides another reliable option in shootout situations.

For now, Stone is focused on staying healthy. “Coming to the rink, it sucks rehabbing,” he said. “I’m just excited to get back and hopefully stay healthy, knock on wood for the 15th time.” The captain understands his availability directly correlates with Vegas’ championship hopes. When healthy, he remains one of the NHL’s premier two-way forwards, capable of changing games at both ends of the ice.

The wrist injury appears fully healed. Stone’s celebration into the boards showed no hesitation. His 19-plus minutes of ice time, including significant short-handed duty, demonstrated trust from the coaching staff. If he can maintain this health through the demanding December schedule, the Golden Knights will have their leader back at the most critical stretch of the regular season.

Vegas sits at 10-5-8, a record that both impresses and frustrates. The foundation is solid. The star power is returning. Now, they must learn to finish games and convert those overtime losses into wins. Mark Stone’s return provides the final piece to what could be another championship puzzle—provided he stays in the lineup.