LOS ANGELES — Mark Stone sat in the exact same booth.
The one he dressed in before last season’s second game at Crypto.com Arena, when nerve pain in his back forced him to leave early and embark on a journey that led to surgery in May. .
Stone was back there almost exactly a year later. This time he made another memory.
The Golden Knights captain showed he was back by scoring a game-winning goal with 24 seconds left in his team’s 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday.
Back problems that erupted in Los Angeles cost Stone 45 games last season. He played a major role in the Knights missing the playoffs for the first time.
The shot he placed into the top left corner of the Kings’ net certainly made his injury days seem behind him.
“It feels good to be out there with the guys,” Stone said. “Thirty-seven games (played) last year, whatever it is, it’s tough. Happy to feel what I’m feeling right now.
Stone’s goal capped an incredible back-and-forth between the Knights and Kings televised to national audiences on ESPN and seen in person by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.
Both teams entered the third period tied at 1-1 before their offenses exploded.
Center Jack Eichel gave the Knights a 2-1 lead at 1:27 of the third. Kings right-winger Adrian Kempe responded.
Center William Karlsson gave the Knights the lead again 7:17 into the third. This time, Los Angeles right-winger Arthur Kaliyev responded.
Stone made sure not to leave enough time for another Kings comeback. He sparked one of his trademark celebrations after scoring. He immediately started skating and raised his arms in the air before being harassed by his teammates. Then he raised his fist and gave high-fives to the Knights bench so fast it looked like he was going to rip his hands off.
That’s how much helping his team meant to Stone again. Injuries cost him and the Knights dearly last season. Now they’re back and ready to roll.
“I just want to be healthy and be out there with the guys,” Stone said. “That’s all I’m concerned about right now. The rest will take care of itself.”
Here are three takeaways from victory:
1. Good start for Cassidy
The Knights looked strong on coach Bruce Cassidy’s debut.
They improved to 5-1 all-time in the opening games of the season and have now won four in a row. He became the third coach in franchise history to win his first game, after Gerard Gallant and Pete DeBoer did the same.
The Knights performed well on special teams and five-on-five. The front four lines provided solid changes. They had 51 shots on goal, tying the franchise record for most in a regulation game, at the Kings’ 31.
The Knights were also 1-5 on the power play and 3-3 on the penalty kill. Karlsson scored on the power play with a high tip by deflecting a pass from defenseman Alex Pietrangelo into the net.
“(They) worked on that in practice,” Cassidy said. “It’s good to see it paying off for them.”
2. Thompson starts things off
Logan Thompson was an undrafted goaltender who played Canadian college hockey four seasons ago. He became an NHL Opening Night starter on Tuesday.
The Knights gave the 25-year-old rookie the net for his first game after a strong preseason. Thompson backed up their faith with a strong performance.
He stopped 27 of 30 shots he faced while earning his 11th NHL victory. It remains to be seen where his meteoric rise goes from here. But Thompson continues to show that he is worthy of the opportunities presented to him.
3. Karlsson starts hot
Last season was a season to forget for Karlsson.
His 12 goals and 35 points were his lowest totals in five years with the Knights. He came out on Tuesday with the intention of proving that he is in for a better season.
Karlsson finished with a goal and a lead assist in the Knights’ win. He scored the team’s first goal on a transition opportunity with left wing Jonathan Marchessault. His power play goal in the third period almost won.
It’s a good start for the 29-year-old looking to bounce back.
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