The Vegas Golden Knights will remain without captain Mark Stone for Game 6 against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night.
Stone suffered a lower-body injury during the first period of Game 3 on May 8 while backchecking on a Ducks power play. Although he briefly returned to the bench in the second period, he never took another shift and later exited visibly frustrated.
The injury continues to loom large for Vegas as the team attempts to close out the second-round series. The Golden Knights currently hold a 3-2 series lead after Pavel Dorofeyev scored twice in a dramatic 3-2 overtime win in Game 5.
Sin Bin Vegas shared the update on X, writing, “Mark Stone and Jeremy Lauzon are both OUT for Game 6. Asked if they made the trip with the team, Tortorella simply reiterated that they are out.”
Stone’s absence leaves a major hole in the lineup. The veteran winger remained one of Vegas’ most important two-way players throughout the season despite dealing with injuries.
He finished the 2025-26 regular season with 73 points in just 60 games, recording 28 goals and 45 assists while posting a +26 rating. Stone also contributed seven points in nine playoff games before getting hurt.
Vegas now enters Game 6 with multiple roster concerns. Alongside Stone and Jeremy Lauzon remaining unavailable, defenseman Brayden McNabb will miss the game because of suspension.
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) skates against the Anaheim Ducks.Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
That puts additional pressure on players like Dorofeyev, Brett Howden, and Jack Eichel to carry the offensive load against a Ducks team that has already proven capable of pushing Vegas into difficult situations.
Anaheim enters the matchup with momentum despite trailing in the series. The Ducks responded strongly after Stone’s injury in Game 4 and continue to get strong production from Cutter Gauthier and Jackson LaCombe.
Still, Vegas remains one win away from another trip to the Western Conference Final. The question now is whether their depth can survive another night without their captain.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on May 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the NHL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
