Mark Stone scores in Vegas return
Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone scored a goal and the boo birds and conspiracy theorists had a field day as the defending champions beat the Dallas Stars in Game 1 on Monday night.
The boos in Dallas were for the situation, not the player. For the second year in a row, Stone had a serious injury (back last year, lacerated spleen this year) and went on long-term injured reserve yet returned for the playoffs. The Golden Knights were able to use that money to exceed the salary cap and make major additions at the trade deadline.
It’s permissible under the collective bargaining agreement in the case of a long-term injury. General manager Kelly McCrimmon even anticipated the “insinuation” that would arise and pointed out last week how closely the NHL’s medical staff monitors a player on LTIR.
Stone played more than 17 minutes in his return after 26 games out, scored on a firstperiod deflection and was booed so loudly during an inarena ESPN interview that he couldn’t hear a question.
His return is critical to the Golden Knights’ bid to repeat. Trade-deadline acquisitions Tomas Hertl (goal) and Noah Hanifin (two assists) also had big games in the 4-3 win.
Winners and losers so far in the Stanley Cup playoffs:
WINNERS
Carolina Hurricanes’ resilience: They’re up 2-0 in their series against the New York Islanders after a major comeback from a 3-0 deficit for a 5-3 win. The last time they had overcome that big a deficit in the playoffs was when they won the Stanley Cup in 2006. The rally included scoring the tying and winning goals nine seconds apart late in the third period to shatter the team record for fastest two playoff goals.
New York Rangers’ Matt Rempe: The 6-foot-8 rookie made a name for himself this season with his fights, his physicality and his suspension.
But how would a player who averaged 5 minutes, 38 seconds of ice time fare in the playoffs, when fighting comes close to vanishing? The answer: pretty good. He was penalized on his first shift, but he scored the Rangers’ first goal, was on the ice for their third goal and delivered four hits. He played more than eight minutes.
Edmonton Oilers offense: The Oilers need big games from their stars if they’re going to advance far. They got that in a 7-4 win against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday. Zach Hyman had a hat trick and an assist. Connor McDavid had five assists and Evan Bouchard had four assists. Edmonton went 3for-4 on the power play. The Kings will have their hands full.
Toronto Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews: He fell just short of 70 goals in the regular season but got a huge goal Monday. His breakaway goal was the winner in a 3-2 seriestying victory against the Bruins and he added two assists.
LOSERS
Islanders’ collapse: They had been 81-0 when leading by three goals in the playoffs, according to ESPN. The Islanders weren’t able to handle the pressure when the Hurricanes dialed it up Monday. They were outshot 17-1 in the third period.
Nashville Predators also give up two quick goals: The Vancouver Canucks scored third-period goals 12 seconds apart to turn a 2-1 deficit into an eventual 4-2 victory. “Uncharacteristic for us from the last 40 games or so,” Predators coach Andrew Brunette said of Sunday’s third period. “Shift after a goal is so important.”
Colorado Avalanche goalie Alexandar Georgiev: Georgiev struggled down the stretch, allowing four or more goals in six of his final eight games. He was pulled in a 7-0 loss to the Winnipeg Jets that cost Colorado a chance at home-ice advantage in this series. The Avalanche couldn’t use backup Justus Annunen against the Jets on Sunday because he was sick. Georgiev gave up seven goals on 23 shots in a 7-6 loss. Annunen was still sick on Monday.
Los Angeles Kings general manager Rob Blake: He wasn’t able to pull off a trade at the deadline, especially for a goaltender. Cam Talbot gave up six goals against the Kings and the former Oilers goalie was jeered by Edmonton fans. Offseason acquisition Pierre-Luc Dubois has disappointed this season. He did score against the Oilers but it was a fluke that deflected in off Darnell Nurse’s skate. Unless the Kings can turn it around, they’re looking at a third consecutive first-round loss to the Oilers.