The 30-year-old forward has missed 39 games after reaggravating a back injury during a 4-2 victory against the Florida Panthers on Jan. 12. He had surgery Jan. 31.
Stone had not missed a game this season after being limited to 37 games last season, when he missed 26 games with a back injury that also led to surgery May 19, 2022.
"It's been a long two years, I really miss this," said Stone, the Golden Knights captain. "These last two weeks were getting ready to play. The back is good. It's about being physically and mentally to go."
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Stone said he attempted to rehab the injury before seeing Dr. Chad Prusmack for a second opinion. Prusmack performed teammate Jack Eichel's disk replacement surgery on his neck Nov. 12, 2021.
"I think I had a successful surgery the first time," Stone said. "Unfortunately, it came back, so I had to try to do something different. Right from the start, I felt good. It took away a lot of my pain and symptoms days after the surgery."
Stone has 38 points (17 goals, 21 assists) in 43 games this season.
"Real important piece to our team as everyone knows not only on the ice, but off the ice," coach Bruce Cassidy said. "Everything he brings. Fortunate to have him.
"We didn't know how it would play out, to be perfectly honest. There were a lot of medical boxes he had to check off before he could get back into the lineup. He's been able to do that. Credit to him. Credit our medical team for getting him up to speed."
Cassidy does not anticipate a minutes restriction on Stone and said there will be an adjustment period.
"We just have to be careful not to expect too much for his first game in a long time," Cassidy said. "No matter what, he'll be a positive influence for us."
Zach Whitecloud is also expected back. The defenseman sustained a lower-body injury in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars on April 8.
"I haven't heard anything different from the medical team," Cassidy said. "He's in full contact. I suspect he'll be in."
