DALLAS — The American Airlines Center crowd booed Mark Stone each time he touched the puck.

The first two times lasted around two seconds. The third time was much louder.

Stone scored a power-play goal 1:23 into his return to the Knights’ lineup, sparking a 4-3 win against the Dallas Stars in Game 1 of the two teams’ first-round playoff series Monday. Game 2 is in Dallas on Wednesday.

“I guess they don’t like me,” Stone said.

Stone, playing in his first game since Feb. 20 after suffering a Grade 3 lacerated spleen, started a three-goal first period for the Knights that got the team’s Stanley Cup championship defense off on the right foot.

Right wing Jonathan Marchessault, the reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner for playoff MVP, struck 7:04 after Stone. Center Tomas Hertl added a power-play goal 2:09 before the first intermission to give the Knights a 3-1 lead.

“I thought we played the right way,” coach Bruce Cassidy said.

The start of the game was hectic. The two teams combined to score five goals on 19 shots in the first period.

There was almost another tally as well.

Defenseman Ryan Suter put the puck in the net for the Stars 7:06 into the first period and appeared to tie the game at 1-1. Coach Bruce Cassidy challenged the play and was successful when left wing Mason Marchment was deemed to be offside on the play after review.

...continued

©2024 Las Vegas Review-Journal. Visit reviewjournal.com.. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.