The Vegas Golden Knights came away with a 4-3 win over the Dallas Stars in Game 1 of the first round, and Mark Stone set the tone with the first goal of the game in his return from a lacerated spleen that he suffered on Feb. 20. He spoke on what he was feeling going into the matchup in his return to the ice after spending time on LTIR with the lacerated spleen.
“I was nervous. I think I’d probably be a little nervous if I played in all 82 games, right? It’s the playoffs,” Mark Stone said, via Ryan S. Clark of ESPN. “This is what you play for, once the game gets you going, you realize why you play and why it’s so much fun to be out there.”
Stone scored on the power play for the Golden Knights just 1:23 into the game, and was assisted by Noah Hanifin and Jack Eichel on the play. Jonathan Marchessault, Tomas Hertl and Brayden McNabb scored the other three goals for the Golden Knights in the 4-3 win.
Why did Stars fans boo Mark Stone?
In the game, Stone was booed throughout by Stars fans. The reason why is because of the financial flexibility that the Golden Knights were given due to Stone going on LTIR. This is the second year in a row that Stone has been put on LTIR, giving the Golden Knights $9.5 million in cap space to add at the trade deadline.
Last season, the Golden Knights added Ivan Barbashev and Teddy Blueger ahead of the trade deadline, then got Stone back for the playoffs. There are no salary cap restrictions for the playoffs, so Vegas was able to add Stone back without penalty.
That is the same case for this season with Stone. He was placed on LTIR, opening up space for the Golden Knights to add Noah Hanifin, Tomas Hertl and Anthony Mantha. The idea was always that Stone would potentially return for the playoffs.
Many fans believe that it was convenient for Stone to return just in time for the playoffs, immediately when the salary cap constraints are no longer relevant. As far as the Golden Knights go, they laughed and were happy for Stone to score while being booed.
“I loved it,” Jonathan Marchessault said, via Clark. “I wouldn’t be more happy for any guy than him. He’s been going through a lot of adversity in the last few years, and the fact he comes back and he gets big goals like that, it’s unbelievable to have a guy like that on your team and especially as your leader.”
These two teams are some of the most talented in the league, and the winner could go on to win the Stanley Cup. Vegas won the first game, and the Stars will try to respond in Game 2.
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