Dominant Stars Return: Mark Stone and Cale Makar Set for Game 3

Golden Knights captain Mark Stone will be on the ice Sunday night when Vegas faces the Colorado Avalanche in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals, as the series remains in Las Vegas.

Coach John Tortorella announced Stone’s return roughly 2½ hours before the puck was dropped. The Golden Knights are leading the series 2-0.

Defensive star Cale Makar, who missed the first two games with an upper‑body injury, will return to the Avalanche lineup for the first time in the series.

Makar has played nine postseason games this year, recording four goals and one assist.

Stone, 34, had missed the previous five games after sustaining a lower‑body injury on May 8 in Game 3 of the second‑round series against the Anaheim Ducks.

Noah Hanifin, a teammate, expressed enthusiasm about Stone’s comeback, emphasizing his impact in key moments and leadership.

“It’s huge,” Hanifin told reporters. “His talent speaks for itself, but his character and leadership are invaluable. Having him back is a major boost for the team.”

Stone has tallied seven points (three goals, four assists) in the current playoff run.

He matched career highs with 73 points (28 goals, 45 assists) and a +26 rating in 60 games this season.

Across 766 NHL games with the Ottawa Senators (2012‑19) and Golden Knights, Stone has 707 points (259 goals, 448 assists) and a +167 rating.

Makar, 27, is a two‑time Norris Trophy winner (2021‑22, 2024‑25) and was named Conn Smythe Trophy recipient when the Avalanche captured the Stanley Cup in 2023.

He has 507 points (136 goals, 371 assists) in 470 career games over seven seasons with the Avalanche, including 20 goals and 59 assists in 75 regular‑season games this year.

– Field Level Media

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