Make all of the LTIR jokes all you want. But Vegas Golden Knights fans know how important Mark Stone is to the team—when healthy. The Captain is averaging 1.40 points per game this season, good for sixth in the NHL. Fans have seen how well he flows in Bruce Cassidy's offense, moving the puck and positioning himself for goals and scoring chances.
Think of it this way. The Golden Knights have only scored 13 goals in their last seven games. Suddenly, the offensive output has dried up, leaving fans wondering if this team can hang with the competition without their unequivocal leader.
That's especially true when you're facing off against playoff-position teams like the Edmonton Oilers and the Dallas Stars. Who's stepping in to jump on the rush for Vegas without Stone? There's a reason why the Mark Stone-Jack Eichel-Ivan Barbashev line has worked so well this season.
In fact, let's dive into that reason further. The Golden Knights desperately need their Captain back in the lineup to lead the attack. The reason revolves around more than Stone being offensively excellent, though. It revolves around experience.
Why Mark Stone matters more to the Golden Knights' lineup than people realize
Braeden Bowman was slotted into Mark Stone's spot while the Captain has dealt with an upper-body injury. Everyone knows the undrafted rookie as the heir apparent to his style, where he specializes in offensive acumen and position.
However, there's been one minor problem: Bowman hasn't been the best at finishing. Jack Eichel has given Bowman plenty of scoring opportunities while cutting in, only for him to botch the feed. It's caused endless angst and frustration among Golden Knights fans, leaving them to call for the rookie to be demoted.
No, not to the Silver Knights. That's not happening. But you get the point.
Still, you can chalk it up to Bowman being inexperienced at the NHL level. That's where you need a Canadian Olympian to impact the game and finish Eichel's feeds. Sure, he might be older and slower. However, experience trumps physical abilities in this scenario, especially when it comes to a 1.40 PPG player.
NHL fans are learning what Vegas Golden Knights fans knew all along about Mark Stone's impact
Golden Knights fans haven't shied away from placing the blame in various spots. That has included Adin Hill, Bruce Cassidy, and even Kelly McCrimmon. However, the various injuries haven't helped the team achieve its ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup.
That's especially true when you actually get into low-scoring affairs against playoff-bound teams. Sometimes, you need that extra scorer to come in and make a monumental difference for your team. Imagine where Vegas could've been if it had its Captain against the Dallas Stars.
Yes, the Canadian Olympian isn't the healthiest player around. However, you can't deny that his impact helps the Golden Knights in more ways than one. Perhaps getting Stone back for the stretch run will help Vegas finally go on a torrid winning streak. After all, crazier things have happened, right?