DENVER — The Vegas Golden Knights will have to try to take control of the Western Conference Final without captain Mark Stone, as he’ll miss Game 2 against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday, coach John Tortorella said.
Stone took part in the Knights’ optional morning skate at Ball Arena but remained on the ice afterward skating with skills coach Sean Farrell. This will be his fifth straight game missed.
— Danny Webster (@DannyWebster21) May 22, 2026
The 34-year-old has not played since Game 4 of the second round against Anaheim due to a lower-body injury that kept forced him to leave Game 3.
The Knights lead the best-of-seven series 1-0. They’ve gone 3-1 with Stone out of the lineup.
“We’re a good team. Probably a better team with (Stone),” Tortorella said. “But as we always talk about when we talk about our team, we understand the situation that needs to be done when things happen.”
Colorado will have to try and even the series without defenseman Cale Makar, who will also miss his second straight game with an upper-body injury.
Makar was a full-contact participant in practice Thursday and skated with his team Friday morning, but coach Jared Bednar ruled him out.
Tortorella said defenseman Jeremy Lauzon will miss his eighth straight game with an upper-body injury.
Defenseman Kaedan Korczak will also draw back into the lineup, replacing Ben Hutton.
Contact Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.
