The Vegas Golden Knights got some good news on Monday regarding Mark Stone. It appears the Captain is skating with the team, according to Danny Webster.
Mark Stone is on the ice for morning skate.
— Danny Webster (@DannyWebster21) May 12, 2025
Stone left Game 3's win against the Edmonton Oilers and didn't return. The Golden Knights had already dealt with injuries to key players such as Brayden McNabb and Pavel Dorofeyev. Stone's on the top line alongside Ivan Barbashev and Jack Eichel in line rushes, meaning he's trending towards playing in Game 4.
His impact is vital, after all. You can't just have a Stanley Cup-contending team without your leader on the ice. That's especially true since he specializes in various facets. What does this mean for Vegas as they head into a crucial Game 4 against the Oilers?
The importance of Mark Stone for the Vegas Golden Knights
It should go without saying. But having your Captain on the ice is vital for your team. He serves as the expressive leader for the Vegas Golden Knights, firing up the team in big moments. You can't have a playoff team without your leader evoking strong emotions, which is where Stone comes in. Now you know where the term "expressive Mark Stone" comes from.
He's also one of the most productive players this postseason. When I say "productive," I'm talking about four goals and four assists during the Stanley Cup playoffs. Mind you, he didn't score in the first three playoff games, which makes his recent run more impressive. He's anchored the top units and has done an excellent job as a secondary player on the attack.
Without Stone, the Golden Knights don't have that reliable player on the top units. That means Bruce Cassidy leans into his role players harder, which can strain the forward group. However, that hasn't been as problematic as originally thought.
William Karlsson (three goals and three assists) has emerged as a solid role player alongside Jack Eichel, becoming a scoring threat. Reilly Smith had a monster Game 3 that included the game-winning buzzer-beater goal. Tapping into that depth isn't as problematic as Golden Knights fans would believe.
If the Golden Knights want to win Game 4 and shift the momentum in their favor, they must have their leaders back. The good news is he's trending towards starting, which will bolster the offensive output. It's on Vegas to execute, though. Otherwise, this will be a moot point and the momentum will stick with the Oilers.