Mark Stone returns for Game 3 as Knights lead 2-0

Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone will return to the lineup for Game 3 of the Western Conference Final against the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday night in Las Vegas. The star forward has been sidelined for the past five games due to a lower-body injury.

Golden Knights coach John Tortorella confirmed Stone’s availability approximately two and a half hours before the scheduled puck drop, though he did not provide further details. The team enters the game holding a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Stone sustained the injury on May 8 during Game 3 of the second-round series against the Anaheim Ducks. His participation in an optional skate on Saturday showed few, if any, limitations, according to observers. He also skated with the team while they were in Denver for the first two games of the conference final.

Teammates expressed significant optimism about his return. Defenseman Noah Hanifin emphasized the impact of Stone’s leadership alongside his on-ice talent. "His talent speaks for itself, but his character and leadership, just to have him back in the room, get his voice back, is going to be huge for our team," Hanifin said. "Any time he comes back, it’s like he didn’t...