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

The return of Mark Stone was supposed to be the turning point. After missing 16 games with a wrist injury that landed him on injured reserve in late October, the Vegas Golden Knights captain made his highly anticipated comeback against the Ottawa Senators at T-Mobile Arena. The 33-year-old forward delivered exactly what his team needed in the moment, scoring a crucial power-play goal that tied the game 3-3 in the third period and sparked hope of a dramatic victory. Yet in a cruel twist that has defined Vegas’ season, the celebration was short-lived. The Golden Knights dominated possession and outshot the Senators 35-23 but ultimately fell 4-3 in a shootout, dropping their record to a frustrating 1-8 in overtime contests this season.

The loss highlighted both the promise of Stone’s return and the persistent issues that have plagued the Golden Knights through their first 23 games. Despite earning points in seven of eight games, four of those have been overtime defeats, leaving Vegas clinging to second place in the Pacific Division, just one point behind Anaheim. Stone’s power-play tally gave him 14 points in only seven games this season, reminding everyone why his presence is considered essential to the team’s championship aspirations.

Mark Stone’s immediate impact changes everything for Vegas

Stone didn’t need a long adjustment period. He played 19:58, the third-most among forwards, and led all forwards in short-handed ice time with 2:17. His line with Brett Howden and Mitch Marner was Vegas’ best in terms of possession, outshooting Ottawa 10-3 when on the ice. The trio went 1-1 in goals, showing immediate chemistry despite Stone’s month-long absence.

The captain’s power-play goal came with Vegas trailing 3-2 in the third period. After flubbing his first pass attempt from the goal line, Stone’s second effort deflected off Senators center Tim Stutzle’s skate and into the net. Stone celebrated in typical fashion, leaping into the boards and slamming his hand into the glass, a moment that tested the same right wrist that had sidelined him.

“You take it and run,” Stone said afterward, acknowledging the fortunate bounce. The goal salvaged a point for Vegas but extended their troubling pattern of leaving points on the table in extra time. The Golden Knights have now earned eight loser points this season, on pace to shatter their previous record of 11 in a single campaign.

The frustrating pattern of overtime failures continues

Vegas’ shootout loss to Ottawa followed a familiar script. The team fought back from deficits, controlled play late, and generated quality scoring chances, only to come up empty when it mattered most. Linus Ullmark turned in a vintage performance for Ottawa, stopping 32 shots, including a clean sweep in the shootout. Golden Knights goaltender Akira Schmid, meanwhile, struggled early, allowing two soft goals in the first period that put Vegas in a 2-0 hole.

The defeat dropped the Golden Knights to 1-8 in overtime games this season, a stark contrast to their championship-caliber standard. Coach Bruce Cassidy has been unable to find answers for the team’s extra-time struggles, which have cost them valuable points in a tight Pacific Division race. Despite the setbacks, Vegas remains in contention, one point back of Anaheim, thanks to their nine regulation wins—more than division rivals Seattle and Los Angeles.

The overtime woes have become a mental hurdle for a team already dealing with significant injury issues. Center William Karlsson, goaltender Adin Hill, and defenseman Jeremy Lauzon remain sidelined, leaving Vegas shorthanded in key areas. Hill’s absence has been particularly concerning, as rumors suggest his lower-body injury could keep him out longer than initially anticipated, potentially forcing more patchwork goaltending in the months ahead.

Stone’s rehabilitation process reveals mental and physical challenges

Stone’s path back to the ice involved unconventional methods that proved crucial. While his teammates played in Utah and Anaheim over the weekend, Stone practiced with the Golden Knights’ AHL affiliate in Henderson, Nevada. Those sessions helped expedite his return, allowing him to get the necessary reps without rushing back into NHL action.

“If I didn’t have that, I’d probably be looking more at Friday,” Stone admitted, referring to the upcoming game against Montreal. “Everything’s healed. I got the practices I needed. I’m ready to go.”

The wrist injury, suffered in October, wasn’t career-threatening but still required careful management. Stone has become all too familiar with rehabilitation, having missed 142 games since 2021-22 due to various ailments, including two back surgeries and a lacerated spleen. The pattern has forced him to develop expertise in recovery, though he makes clear it’s not a skill he wanted to master.

“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 just excited to be back.”

New line combinations show promise for future success

Stone’s return forced lineup adjustments that ultimately paid dividends. Cassidy placed Stone on the third line with Brett Howden and Mitch Marner, who moved to left wing for the first time this season. The decision proved astute, as the trio controlled play throughout the night and generated sustained offensive pressure.

Howden, who previously skated with Stone during the Knights’ 2023 Stanley Cup run, praised his linemate’s seamless reintegration. “I don’t think Stone has ever had an issue of getting back up to speed,” Howden said. “It’s unfortunate that he’s been out a handful of times in the years that I’ve been here, and every time he comes back, it seems like he doesn’t miss a beat.”

Marner’s presence on the left wing added another dimension, giving Stone a creative playmaker to complement his own two-way game. The winger had four shots and the primary assist on Howden’s first-period goal, showing immediate chemistry despite the positional change.

Meanwhile, rookie Braeden Bowman remained on the top line with Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev, a sign that Cassidy is committed to developing young talent while integrating veterans back into the lineup. Eichel scored his 250th career NHL goal in the game, joining Stone as a bright spot in the disappointing result.

What the shootout loss means for Vegas’ championship aspirations

The Golden Knights’ overtime struggles represent more than just bad luck—they’re becoming a psychological barrier that could derail their season if not corrected. A team that prided itself on clutch performances during its 2023 championship run now seems to tighten up when games extend beyond regulation. The pattern has cost them valuable points and created unnecessary pressure in a division race that should be theirs to control.

However, Stone’s return provides legitimate reason for optimism. His 14 points in seven games project to a 164-point pace over a full season, though expecting that level of production is unrealistic. More important than the scoring is Stone’s comprehensive impact: his leadership on the bench, his defensive responsibility, and his ability to elevate teammates’ performance.

Coach Cassidy recognized this value before the game, telling reporters, “It’s good to have his energy back. He’s good on the bench. He’s a leader. It’s just nice to have him back. He makes our team better.” That leadership will be tested as Vegas navigates a challenging stretch of three games in four days, followed by 13 games in December.

The schedule presents both opportunity and risk. If the Golden Knights can stay healthy and solve their overtime issues, they have the talent to build a comfortable division lead. But if injuries persist and the shootout struggles continue, they risk entering 2026 fighting for playoff positioning rather than asserting dominance.

Mark Stone provides the blueprint for what Vegas needs to become again—a team that finds ways to win rather than settling for moral victories. His goal against Ottawa was a reminder of his clutch ability, but the loss underscored how much work remains. The Golden Knights have the pieces; now they must learn to finish what they start. For Stone, the challenge is staying healthy enough to lead that charge, a task that has proven more difficult than anyone imagined when he first arrived in Vegas.