Stone was labouring at the end of Game 4 after blocked a Joe Pavelski shot but was able to finish the game. On Sunday, head coach Pete DeBoer did not have an update on the winger, so consider him a game-time decision for Game 5. Stone has struggled offensively as of late, posting just one goal and one assist in his last six games.
According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Golden Knights and Lehner agreed to this extension before the NHL's Return to Play and it will become official following their playoff run. This sheds a little light on why the Golden Knights have been riding Lehner throughout the postseason and have been reluctant to go to Marc-Andre Fleury at times. This could also spell the end of Fleury's time in Vegas. Since being acquired from Chicago, Lehner has gone 12-5-0 with a .924 SV% in 17 games with Vegas.
Lehner stopped 32 of 35 shots in the Golden Knights round-robin win over the Avalanche on Saturday. Lehner won both of his round-robin starts and has yet to lose a game in a Golden Knights uniform. Since being traded by Chicago, who he'll face in Round 1, Lehner is 5-0 while stopping 134 of the 145 shots (.924 SV%) in Vegas.
Barbashev left the bubble, presumably on Monday, to be with his wife for the birth of their first child. Depending on when he returns to the bubble, he'll need to quarantine and that makes him questionable for Sunday's game. Mackenzie MacEachern is expected to draw in for Barbashev on Thursday.
Lehner started the 2020 season in Chicago, where he was 16-10-5 with a 3.01 GAA and .918 SV% on one of the worst defensive teams in hockey. After he was traded to Vegas, he went 3-0-0 with a 1.67 GAA and .940 SV%. Him and Marc-Andre Fleury will likely get a look during the round-robin but it will be Lehner first. He's a great option tonight vs. a Stars team that has struggled to score all season, ranking 26th in GF/gm (2.58).