Mark Stone recorded the first hat trick of his NHL career to power the Vegas Golden Knights to a 6-3 victory in Game 3 against the San Jose Sharks on Sunday night at T-Mobile Arena. The Golden Knights lead the best-of-seven series, 2-1.
HOW IT WENT DOWN
Stone brought the crowd to its feet in the first minute of the contest with his fourth goal of the playoffs. Max Pacioretty potted a power-play goal to give the Golden Knights a 2-0 lead, but Kevin Labanc scored before the end of the period and Vegas carried a 2-1 lead into the second period. Paul Stastny buried his first goal of the playoffs to open the second period and scored again late in the period to put Vegas ahead, 4-1. Stone netted his second of the game early in the third for a four-goal lead before Logan Couture and Timo Meier scored 56 seconds apart to cut the Vegas lead to 5-3. At 13:57 of the final frame, Stone broke in behind the San Jose defense and tucked home his third goal of the game as Vegas picked up the 6-3 win in Game 3.
TURNING POINT
The Golden Knights led 5-1 early in the third period and seemed to have the win locked up. San Jose netted two quick goals to put a little bit of panic in the minds of the Golden Knights, but Stone's third goal turned the tide back in Vegas' favor.
Stone's Hat Trick Leads Vegas to 6-3 Win
Pacioretty-Stastny-Stone line combined for 12 points to take 2-1 series lead
