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

4. Jonathan Marchessault

Since being claimed by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, Jonathan Marchessault has become somewhat of an offensive juggernaut.

Through 222 regular-season games with the Golden Knights, Marchessault has recorded 72 goals and 106 assists for 178 points, in addition to 27 points (12 goals, 15 assists) in 27 postseason outings for the Knights.

Marchessault is currently fourth on the team in points with 44 (20 goals, 24 assists) this year, although he only has six points (two goals, four assists) in his last 10 outings.

While he hasn’t had usual playmate William Karlsson on the top line for chunks of this year, Marchessault is one of the Golden Knights’ most potent weapons and the onus will now be on him to elevate his game to another level.

With Mark Stone out of the lineup, the Knights need players to step up and ensure that the elite wing’s production and talents aren’t missed too much.

Given his ability to generate offense, the Golden Knights will be looking to Marchessault to break out of his mini slump, which has seen the forward register just one point in his last five outings.

Also, with Stone out of action for the foreseeable, Vegas will need someone to take over on the power play.

Marchessault could be that man given that he does boast a wicked release, while he also has elite creativity in his arsenal.

When you are missing elite players you need your other top players to put the team on their back, and Jonathan Marchessault will need to find a new level in the coming weeks to ensure that Mark Stone’s absence isn’t felt too much.