Golden Knights F Mark Stone to return Monday night

Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone will return to action on Monday night for Game 1 of the NHL Western Conference playoffs at Dallas.

"I'm going to play tonight," the 31-year-old forward said prior to the series opener against the Stars.

Stone missed the final 26 games of the regular season with a lacerated spleen.

Stone was injured Feb. 20 in a game against the Predators when he collided with Nashville's Yakov Trenin late in the second period of the 5-3 loss. Stone took a hit in the area of his chest and ribs and later was placed on long-term injured reserve.

The 12-year NHL veteran had been off to a strong start with 53 points (16 goals, 37 assists) in 56 games before the injury.

Stone has 567 career points (212 goals, 355 assists) in 640 games with the Ottawa Senators (2012-19) and Golden Knights.

He won the Stanley Cup with Vegas last season, contributing 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 22 playoff games.

The defending champions are the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. They won all three regular-season meetings with the top-seeded Stars.