Vegas fell to Winnipeg, 5-1, in Game 1 and the reaction from the home fans at T-Mobile Arena matched the emotions of the team as they stepped off the ice in a 1-0 hole in the series.
"We'll definitely have to look and see what we're doing good and what we're doing wrong," Stone said on Tuesday after the loss. "It wasn't a great night for us."
Vegas did just that. The Golden Knights clearly addressed their issues and kept a positive mindset that led them into Game 2. They walked away with a commanding 5-2 win and knotted the series at 1-1.
Stone scored two goals and notched one assist, doing so for the first time since he was injured back on Jan. 12. After overcoming two back surgeries in one year, the captain came back stronger than ever to power his team past the Jets.
Stone admitted he did not feel great to begin with, especially in Game 1.
"Pretty subpar five periods for me," said Stone Thursday night. "I didn't really feel that great. This is the team I want to play for, the team I want to win with and go to war with."
There's no denying that having your captain back is a boost for everyone on and off the ice. It's evident on players' faces - and on the scoreboard - how big of an impact Stone has on the club. The players couldn't contain their excitement watching their captain score and their celebrations with him on the ice proved it.
"It was great to see him have a great game. He was huge for us tonight." William Karlsson said on Thursday night.
In addition to Stone's resurgence, Jack Eichel tallied his first-ever playoff goal. Eichel had played 476 regular season games in his career before making his Stanley Cup Playoff debut in Game 1 against Winnipeg. The last elimination game Eichel had played in, save for international play, was the championship game at the 2015 Frozen Four when Eichel's Boston University Terriers lost to Providence College, 4-3, at TD Garden.
The hunger to return to the big stage was never sated for Eichel and his production in Game 2 was a massive weight off his shoulders.
"It felt great. A long time coming," Eichel said. "It's good to contribute and a good win by our group."
Eichel scored the go-ahead goal halfway through the second period, tipping in Alex Pietrangelo's shot.
It's safe to say that the chemistry has been there all along after a disappointing Game 1. It just took a little bit of magic from the captain to bring it out. Stone, Eichel and the Golden Knights have established a blueprint of how to play against Winnipeg and will aim to pick up where they left off in Game 3 on Saturday at 1 p.m. PT at Canada Life Centre.
