Mark Stone returns from wrist injury, ties power-play goal in Golden Knights loss to Senators

The return of a franchise captain always carries an electric charge through an arena, and Wednesday night at T-Mobile Arena was no exception. Mark Stone made his highly anticipated comeback after missing 16 games with a wrist injury, and the Vegas Golden Knights captain wasted little time reminding everyone why he’s the emotional and statistical heartbeat of this team. His tying power-play goal in the third period against the Ottawa Senators reignited hopes for a victory, yet the night ended in familiar frustration as Vegas fell 4-3 in a shootout, extending their concerning streak in extra-time situations.

Stone’s dramatic return energizes Vegas lineup

The timeline for Stone’s return remained uncertain until the morning skate, with many expecting Friday’s matchup against Montreal to be the more realistic target. Instead, the 33-year-old winger surprised everyone by suiting up against the Senators, sliding into a third-line role alongside Brett Howden and Mitch Marner, who shifted to left wing for the occasion. This line combination proved to be Vegas’ most effective, outshooting Ottawa 10-3 during their time on ice and generating the primary assist on Howden’s first-period goal.

Stone’s preparation involved practicing with the Henderson Silver Knights, Vegas’ AHL affiliate, while his NHL teammates were on the road in Utah and Anaheim. This strategic decision accelerated his timeline significantly. “Everything’s healed. I got the practices I needed, and I’m ready to go,” Stone explained afterward. The captain logged 19:58 of ice time, third-most among forwards, and led all forwards in short-handed ice time with 2:17, demonstrating coach Bruce Cassidy’s immediate trust in his defensive responsibilities.

The goal itself came at 6:40 of the third period with the Golden Knights trailing 3-2 and on a crucial power play. Stone’s initial pass attempt toward Pavel Dorofeyev went astray, but fortune favored the home team when the puck caromed off Tim Stutzle’s skate into the Ottawa net. “Got a really lucky bounce, but you take those and run,” Stone admitted with characteristic honesty. The tally gave him 14 points in just seven games this season, underscoring his remarkable productivity when healthy.

Golden Knights’ overtime woes continue to plague promising season

Despite Stone’s heroics, the game followed a troubling pattern for Vegas. The team has now lost seven consecutive contests that have extended beyond regulation, dropping to 1-8 in overtime games this season. This pattern undermines what has otherwise been solid hockey, as the Golden Knights have earned points in seven of eight games despite collecting only three actual victories during that span. They currently sit just one point behind the Anaheim Ducks for first place in the Pacific Division, making these lost points in extra time particularly painful.

The statistics reveal a team that dominates regulation but falters when games are decided by small margins. Against Ottawa, Vegas controlled the second and third periods, with Stone noting, “I’m not sure they had as much as a scoring chance, especially in the third. We have every opportunity to end the game. We had the puck on our stick and just couldn’t capitalize.” This sentiment captures the frustration permeating the locker room—a group that knows it’s playing well enough to win but can’t seem to finish the job.

Coach Bruce Cassidy has watched his team struggle in various ways during overtime and shootout situations. The Golden Knights went 0-for-3 in the shootout against Ottawa, with Linus Ullmark stopping all attempts he faced. The lack of shootout success compounds issues that have plagued them in 3-on-3 overtime as well. Despite having high-end talent like Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, and now a healthy Stone, the team’s structure and execution in these critical moments have left much to be desired.

Injury frustrations mount for veteran captain

For Stone, this wrist injury represents just another chapter in a challenging four-year stretch of physical setbacks. Since the 2021-22 season, the captain has missed 142 games due to various ailments, including two back surgeries, a lacerated spleen, and a pulled muscle that cost him 16 games last season. This pattern has forced Stone to become intimately familiar with rehabilitation processes he’d rather avoid.

“Every injury is frustrating,” Stone said before Wednesday’s 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 candid assessment reveals the mental toll that repeated injuries take on a player who has become as proficient in physical therapy as he is on the power play. His absence impacts Vegas far beyond statistics—his voice in the locker room, his presence on the bench, and his leadership during critical moments are irreplaceable components of the team’s identity.

Stone’s impact extends beyond the scoresheet

What makes Stone’s return particularly valuable is his versatility. Against Ottawa, he demonstrated why coaches trust him in every situation. His line with Howden and Marner provided Vegas’ best possession numbers of the night. Howden, familiar with Stone from their Stanley Cup run in 2023, noted, “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.” This consistency despite lengthy absences speaks to Stone’s hockey IQ and conditioning level.

The captain’s short-handed ice time leading all forwards also highlights his defensive responsibility. Stone has evolved from a pure offensive talent into a complete two-way player who can be deployed against top opposition lines while still contributing offensively. This dual threat makes him indispensable to Cassidy’s system, which demands commitment at both ends of the ice. Even when not scoring, Stone’s positioning and anticipation break up opposing rushes and allow Vegas to transition quickly to offense.

His presence also elevates teammates. Mitch Marner’s four shots and primary assist on Howden’s goal came partly from the space Stone creates through gravitational pull—defenders naturally focus on the captain, opening lanes for others. Young players like Braeden Bowman, who extended his point streak to five games Wednesday, benefit from Stone’s guidance and the stability his return provides to the lineup structure.

Senators capitalize on Golden Knights’ mistakes

While Vegas focused on their captain’s return, Ottawa executed a game plan that exploited specific weaknesses. The Senators jumped to an early 2-0 lead just 13 minutes into the contest, with Shane Pinto scoring 51 seconds into the game and Jake Sanderson adding a power-play marker. This quick start forced Vegas to chase the game, a situation that has historically led to aggressive play and occasional defensive breakdowns.

Sanderson’s performance stood out for Ottawa, as the young defenseman collected a goal and two assists while quarterbacking the power play effectively. “Our first was great, and we dipped a little in the second but stuck with it in the third and was patient to the end,” Sanderson explained. This resilience after Vegas tied the game proved crucial. Ottawa coach Travis Green acknowledged his team got “a little tired” but praised their patience in waiting for opportunities.

Drake Batherson’s goal late in the first period, giving Ottawa a 3-1 lead, came from a rapid transition play that caught Vegas defensemen flat-footed. Tim Stutzle’s pass to Batherson for the one-timer demonstrated the Senators’ ability to create high-danger chances off the rush—a weakness in Vegas’ defensive structure that has occasionally appeared this season. While the Golden Knights controlled possession for long stretches, Ottawa’s efficiency in converting quality chances kept them competitive.

Rookie Braeden Bowman continues impressive streak

Amid the focus on Stone’s return, Braeden Bowman quietly extended his point streak to five games with an assist on Jack Eichel’s second-period goal. The 22-year-old undrafted rookie has become an unlikely catalyst for Vegas’ top line alongside Eichel and Ivan Barbashev, becoming the first undrafted rookie to achieve such a streak since Taro Hirose did so for Detroit in 2018-19.

Bowman’s emergence provides Vegas with valuable depth scoring and a low-cost contributor who has earned his coach’s trust. His assist against Ottawa came from a determined play in front of the net, where his initial shot created the rebound that Barbashev eventually fed to Eichel. This willingness to go to the difficult areas of the ice endears him to teammates and coaches alike, especially on a team loaded with established veterans.

The rookie’s success also speaks to Vegas’ scouting and development system. Finding an NHL contributor among undrafted free agents requires keen evaluation and patience, but Bowman’s five-game run suggests he’s more than a temporary placeholder. As the Golden Knights navigate injuries to other key forwards like William Karlsson, having Bowman provide secondary offense becomes increasingly important for maintaining their position in the Pacific Division standings.

Mark Stone returns from wrist injury scores tying power-play goal in Golden Knights loss to Ottawa Senators, proving his individual brilliance remains intact. However, the collective challenge of converting strong play into consistent victories persists for a team with championship aspirations. The captain’s health will be paramount as Vegas enters a brutal stretch of 13 games in December, a period that will likely determine their positioning heading into the midseason break. For now, Golden Knights fans can celebrate having their leader back on the ice, even as they hope the team can solve its overtime puzzle and turn moral victories into actual ones.