LAS VEGAS -- Golden Knights captain Mark Stone and Colorado Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar both returned for Sunday night's Game 3 of the Western Conference finals.
Stone had sat out the past five games due to a lower-body injury. Makar had not played in this series because of an upper-body injury.
Vegas took a 2-0 series lead into the game.
Makar got hurt in the series-clinching Game 5 win vs. the Minnesota Wild in the second round. Getting back the two-time Norris Trophy winner back means the Avs had their top defensive pairing of Makar and Devon Toews fully restored for the first time this series. It also allowed the Avs to have their primary quarterback return to their first-team power-play unit.
Meanwhile, the Knights get back their spiritual leader in Stone. He made his presence felt less than 20 seconds into the second period when his wrist shot gave Vegas their first goal of the game. The Knights were down after giving up three goals to Colorado in the first period.
"His talent speaks for itself, but his character and leadership, just to have him back in the room, get his voice back, is going to be huge for our team," Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin said of getting Stone back. "Any time he comes back, it's like he didn't miss a beat."
Stone, hurt in Game 3 of the second-round series at Anaheim, showed few if any limitations while taking part in an optional skate Saturday. He also skated when the team was in Denver for the first two games of the series.
His 28 goals and 73 points in the regular season were his highest in seven years, and he produced three goals and four assists in nine playoff games this year.
"No one wants to be out there more than Mark," Hanifin said. "He's one of the most competitive guys I've played with in my career."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
