Stone practicing for Golden Knights, game return uncertain
By MARK ANDERSON
AP Sports Writer
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone returned to practice Monday for the first time since back surgery Jan. 31 forced him out of the lineup.
He was in a blue noncontact jersey, and coach Bruce Cassidy said Stone’s return to game action was still unknown.
“This is his next phase of returning to playing and recovery and integrating with the team,” Cassidy said. “We’ll see how he responds to it (Tuesday). It’s just good to have him around.”
Stone was injured Jan. 12 against Florida, and at the time, he was second on the team with 17 goals and 38 points.
This was this second time in less than a year that Stone underwent back surgery. He also had a procedure May 19.
Jack Eichel, who shares the team lead with 27 goals and leads the Knights with 65 points, will miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury when Vegas hosts the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night.
Zach Whitecloud will also miss the game after suffering a lower-body injury Saturday at Dallas. Cassidy said he didn’t believe Whitecloud would be out for an extended amount of time, but would know more following a doctor’s visit Monday afternoon.
The Knights, who have two games remaining, lead the Pacific Division and the Western Conference with 107 points. Edmonton, however, sits just two points back in the Pacific and owns the tiebreaker. Colorado, which is in first place in the Central Division, is three points behind Vegas.
___
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
