The captain of the Golden Knights, Mark Stone, will take the ice Sunday evening as Vegas hosts the Colorado Avalanche for Game 3 of the Western Conference finals in Las Vegas.
Vegas coach John Tortorella revealed the news roughly 2 1/2 hours before game time. The Golden Knights currently hold a 2-0 advantage in the series.
Stone has been sidelined for five consecutive games after suffering a lower-body injury on May 8 during Game 3 of the second-round matchup with the Anaheim Ducks.
Vegas defenseman Noah Hanifin expressed enthusiasm about Stone’s comeback, noting the veteran’s clutch performance with 92 points (44 goals, 48 assists) across 121 career playoff contests.
“It’s huge,” Hanifin said to reporters about Stone. “Obviously, his talent speaks for itself but just his character and leadership, just to have him back in the room and get his voice back, it’s going to be huge for our team.
“Anytime he comes back it’s like he didn’t miss a beat so we’re very excited to have him back in the lineup.”
Stone has compiled seven points (three goals, four assists) through nine playoff games.
The 34-year-old Stone achieved career-best numbers this season with 73 points (28 goals, 45 assists) and a plus-26 rating across 60 games.
Throughout 766 NHL contests with the Ottawa Senators (2012-19) and Golden Knights, Stone has accumulated 707 points (259 goals, 448 assists) with a plus-167 rating.
On the other side, Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar’s availability remains uncertain as he will reportedly evaluate his condition before game time. He has sat out both opening games of the series due to an upper-body injury.
Colorado coach Jared Bednar remained tight-lipped about Makar’s status.
“You’ll have to wait and see,” Bednar said to reporters.
Makar has participated in nine playoff games this postseason, contributing four goals and one assist.
The 27-year-old Makar earned the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman in 2021-22 and 2024-25, and has received another nomination this season.
He captured the Conn Smythe Trophy when the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup four years ago.
Makar has amassed 507 points (136 goals, 371 assists) across 470 career games during seven seasons with the Avalanche. He posted 20 goals and 59 assists in 75 games throughout the 2025-26 regular season.
