Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024 | 4:47 p.m.
Though the NHL season has only been going on for less than a month, Mark Stone is the leading contender for the Art Ross Trophy.
Through 10 games, the 32-year-old center has amassed a league-leading 18 points off five goals and 13 assists. At this time last year, seven points off five assists and two goals.
“The power play’s running at a good clip, so I think that’s where there’s been extra success for a lot of guys,” Stone said. “We’ve kind of struggled a bit these last couple of years, but that’s probably where the extra offense has come from.”
Stone recorded eight points in three games this past week, earning NHL First Star of the Week accolades. His early-season success has been attributed to his bump up to the first line due to William Karlsson’s injury at the beginning of the season.
Stone was paired with Karlsson on the second line last season, but with Karlsson out and a gap left by Jonathan Marchessault on the first line, the Golden Knights looked to Stone to move up.
The pairing of Stone and Jack Eichel wasn’t too unfamiliar as Stone had experience with Eichel on the power play.
“I knew that we had chemistry and were probably going to have some success together,” Stone said. “There’s a lot of good stuff on the line, so I expected us to have a pretty good start to the season.”
Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy had little to no doubt that the line would produce, even as quickly as it did. Seeing Eichel and Stone’s leadership abilities on the ice, the talent would click imminently.
“I know what I’m getting with this line, and I’m not surprised they’re finishing many things,” Cassidy said. “They’re guys we lean on, and Jack (Eichel) and (Mark) Stoney have driven lines everywhere they’ve been.”
The quick change at first line has allowed Stone to showcase some of the best hockey of his career. He’s started the season strong and has kept a consistent pace through the first month.
Coming off a strong week, the Golden Knights and Stone will be tested against the Kings in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Vegas is undefeated at home but has yet to win on the road.
“Last trip, we had good and bad spurts, and it wasn’t easy,” Stone said. “We had opportunities to win at least two of the three games easily, and we just kind of let it slip away. We’ve learned from our mistakes. We’re ready to go out on the road with a confident mindset.