Knights’ Stone plays first game after back surgery

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – The excellent news is that Mark Stone performed Friday night time. The higher information is that the Golden Knights’ captain emerged from a 7-3 pounding by the San Jose Sharks feeling simply fantastic.

“I was just excited to get back in there,” Stone mentioned after the exhibition game at T-Mobile Arena, the workforce’s fourth of seven exhibitions earlier than the season begins Oct. 11. “New system, new teammates, so good to get in there.”

Stone underwent back surgery in May after a season wherein he missed 45 video games, largely due to an aching disk. Friday marked his first game since a lumbar discectomy.

“You could tell his timing was off,” coach Bruce Cassidy mentioned. “Mark did some good things. Obviously made some plays on the power play, made some plays with time and space, held the puck well. But he’s just going to have to find his timing.”

Stone, who drew an help on Reilly Smith’s power-play objective and earned a minus for being on the ice for the Sharks’ first objective, would agree. “Pace was quick,” he mentioned of the Sharks’ aggressive play. “They made you make plays quick. I don’t think my timing was quite there for it.”

But each he and Cassidy really feel the extra exact play will include extra depth in follow.

For now, Stone mentioned he felt good after the game. “I probably wouldn’t be talking to you guys right now if I didn’t,” he informed a bunch of reporters. Last season, he felt poorly after video games, so Friday night time – regardless of the loss – was a welcome change.

“I was definitely hesitant to start,” Stone mentioned. “Wasn’t super comfortable at the start. But once you get into the thick of the game you forget. It’s what I needed … to get back into the rhythm of being a hockey player.”

The Knights have the weekend off, so Stone deliberate to relaxation, see how his physique reacts earlier than Monday, the workforce’s subsequent follow session.

“I’ll give the body a little time to heal, get ready to go for the next practice,” he mentioned. “Now, it’s about getting my timing, getting reps and being ready for opening night.”