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Vegas Golden Knights: Four players who need to step up in Mark Stone’s absence

By Andrew Steele-Davis

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 26: Mikko Koskinen #19 of the Edmonton Oilers defends the net against Mark Stone #61 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 26, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 26: Mikko Koskinen #19 of the Edmonton Oilers defends the net against Mark Stone #61 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 26, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 03: Mackenzie Blackwood #29 of the New Jersey Devils makes a save against Max Pacioretty #67 of the Vegas Golden Knights as Nico Hischier #13 of the Devils defends in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on March 3, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Devils 3-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 03: Mackenzie Blackwood #29 of the New Jersey Devils makes a save against Max Pacioretty #67 of the Vegas Golden Knights as Nico Hischier #13 of the Devils defends in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on March 3, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Devils 3-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

1. Max Pacioretty

This is both an obvious and strange one given that Max Pacioretty has been absolutely lights out for the Vegas Golden Knights all year.

But, with Mark Stone now week-to-week, the onus is on Pacioretty more than ever to keep on delivering the goods for the Golden Knights.

Through 68 games this year, the forward leads the team in points with 65 (31 goals, 34 assists), with 18 of those points coming on the power play.

Pacioretty has now recorded six 30-goal seasons in his career while he is just three points away from setting a new career-high in that category, which would surpass the 67 plateau he has achieved twice.

All in all, it has been a stellar season for Pacioretty and he has been playing arguably some of the best hockey of his career.

Able to come up clutch in key moments, the veteran also brings a plethora of leadership and experience to the table.

And, with Stone out of the lineup for the foreseeable, Pacioretty must continue to come up big in the key moments while driving play from a restructured second line.

With a two-point night against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, Max Pacioretty is already keeping up his end of the bargain and if he can continue to produce at this current rate then that should soften the blow of not having Mark Stone in the lineup.

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