And on the third day, Mark Stone rose again.
On Wednesday, the Golden Knights’ captain was on the ice for morning skate after missing the last 16 games with a wrist injury. Stone took part in line rushes and reclaimed his spot on the top power play unit.
Before his injury, Stone recorded 13 points in six games. He led the league in assists, was second in scoring, and was tied for first in power play points.
“Mark’s just going to make another line stronger,” said Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy on Wednesday. “We’re going to start with Bowman staying with Jack, and [Stone] has played with Howie before… [Stone] will go back in his power play spot, and Bowman will go to the second unit.”
Despite his red-hot start to the season alongside Jack Eichel, Stone won’t go right to the top line. He’ll start on the third line with Mitch Marner and Brett Howden. Braedan Bowman will stay with Eichel and Ivan Barbashev– for now.
“Bowman’s gone in there, and his numbers are good, too. But it’s an easy switch,” said Cassidy.
Stone’s return is good for the power play and the team’s 5-on-5 offense, but it’s bigger than that. Simply put, the Golden Knights missed their captain. In the 16 games Stone missed, the Golden Knights won just six games, posting a record of 6-5-5.
“It’s good to have his energy back,” said Cassidy. “He’s good on the bench. He’s a leader by the way he plays, vocally. It’s just nice to have him back. He makes our team better.”
Golden Knights Lines
Ivan Barbashev — Jack Eichel — Braedan Bowman
Brandon Saad — Tomáš Hertl — Pavel Dorofeyev
Mitch Marner — Brett Howden — Mark Stone
Reilly Smith — Colton Sissons — Keegan Kolesar
Defense
Brayden McNabb — Shea Theodore
Noah Hanifin — Zach Whitecloud
Ben Hutton — Kaedan Korczak
Special Teams
1st Power Play Unit: Eichel, Hertl, Stone, Dorofeyev, Marner
2nd Power Play Unit: Bowman, Sissons, Barbashev, Hanifin, Theodore