March 12, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Golden Knights’ right wing Mark Stone (61) shoots against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvani-Imagn Image Mark Stone didn’t get on the scoresheet, but the Golden Knights’ captain’s return to the lineup prompted several Vegas teammates to credit him for the team’s offensive breakthrough in Thursday’s 6-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Vegas, which hosts the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night in Las Vegas, had scored just five total goals in its previous three games, all of which resulted in regulation losses.
Stone has been sidelined for five games after injuring his side muscle on a check by Pittsburgh’s Kris Letang. The Golden Knights went 1-4-0, scoring two or fewer goals in four games with their captain on the sideline.
Stone, who wore a non-contact jersey Thursday while participating in the team’s morning skate, made his surprise return a few hours later against the Penguins. He played 21 shifts with a plus-2 rating and logged 17 minutes and 52 seconds of time on ice.
“I was just ready to go,” said Stone, who had 21 goals and 60 points in just 44 games. “I don’t feel like I’m going to get much better. I feel like I’m in peak physical condition. At this time of year when I’m feeling good, I’m not going to sit still.”
Vegas, which held a four-point lead in the Pacific division at the Winter Olympics break, had lost six of seven games before Thursday’s win. The Golden Knights are now a spot behind the Anaheim Ducks in the division.
“At the end of the day, he always makes us better people,” Las Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said of Stone. “He’s a pretty smart player. He rarely makes mistakes with the puck or his reads. He always has a good stick.”
“Obviously having him back is a big step for this team,” said Golden Knights forward Mitch Marner, who scored a goal and added an assist. “Stoney brings a lot, whether it’s on the power play, penalty kill or even strength. And obviously he brings leadership on the ice. He’s a calming presence and he’s great in the locker room as well.”
Chicago, last in the Central Division, won 3-2 in overtime against the Utah Mammoth on Thursday in Salt Lake City.
Connor Bedard scored on a long rebound at 3:57 of overtime as the Blackhawks completed a four-game regular season series sweep of the Mammoth. Bedard, Frank Nazar and Tyler Bertuzzi each had a goal and an assist.
Alex Vlasic’s shot from the high slot hit the left post and straight to Bedard, who powered past Karel Vejmelka for the win. This is Chicago’s third win over Utah in 12 days.
“Every game we play these guys, it’s pretty intense and it’s a good game of hockey, so it feels good to beat them every time,” Bedard said. “We don’t like them. They don’t like us. So it’s a good feeling.”
Blackhawks goalie Spencer Knight, who returned after missing three games due to illness, made 29 saves.
The win extended Chicago’s road point streak to four games (2-0-2).
“It’s fun.” Bedard said. “It’s fun to play on the road, especially when you win.”
Saturday’s game is the last of three regular season meetings between the two teams. Vegas won the first 4–3 in a shootout in Las Vegas on December 2, and the Blackhawks won the second 3–2 in Chicago on January 4 in overtime behind a hat trick by Bertuzzi.
–Field level media
