The Vegas Golden Knights are getting some reinforcements, as captain Mark Stone has been activated off of injured reserve, making a return to the lineup for Thursday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins likely.
Mark Stone has been removed from IR, clearing way for him to return tonight.
Stone had missed the last five games with an upper-body injury, sustaining it in the last meeting between the Golden Knights and Penguins, a 5-0 win for Pittsburgh. He had received a cross-check from Kris Letang at the end of the first period of the game, and left shortly after. He was originally considered as day-to-day, but was placed on injured reserve after a few days to make room on Vegas’ roster.
Stone was skating alongside Ivan Barbashev and Jack Eichel during the Golden Knights’ morning skate, so it’s likely he plays on that top line for the game should he be good to go. The trio has been Stone’s most common linemates, outscoring their opponents 20-11 with a 54.17% 5v5 expected goals share in 239:33 of ice time. Stone was also slotted on Vegas’ top power play unit with Eichel, Mitch Marner, Tomas Hertl and Pavel Dorofeyev.
Stone had already missed 16 games earlier this season due to a wrist injury. Despite that, he’s still had one of his healthier seasons in recent years, and has been stellar with 21 goals and 39 assists for 60 points in 43 games. His 1.4 points per game this season is sixth in the league.
If Stone enters the lineup, Reilly Smith is expected to draw out in his place. Smith has had his least-productive season since becoming a full-time NHLer, getting just 11 goals and nine assists for 20 points in 60 games.
With the Golden Knights only having 22 players on their active NHL roster prior to Stone’s activation off of IR, no transaction is required to accommodate for their captain’s return.
