LATEST | Edmonton Oilers allegedly trying to target Mark Stone's injury

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Cooper Godin
May 4, 2023 (9:01)

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The Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights opened their second round Stanley Cup Playoff series on Wednesday night. Despite a four-goal effort from Leon Draisaitl, the Golden Knights took a 1-0 series lead after defeating the Oilers by a score of 6-4.

Golden Knights captain Mark Stone appeared to be a target of the Oilers on Wednesday night. The 30-year-old underwent back surgery in February and made his return for the first game of Vegas' first round series against Winnipeg.

During the intermission of last night's game, the Sportsnet panel discussed if the Oilers were targeting Stone's back, which has been bothering him of late and caused him to leave practice earlier this week.

Stone took several bumps to his back throughout the game, as well as some heavy cross-checks from Evan Bouchard and Darnell Nurse. It's probably safe to say they aren't targeting him and that this is all apart of the game, BUT the Oilers definitely know that Stone's injury has flared up and is aggravated again, and they want to do anything possible to take him off his game.

It is interesting however because during Edmonton's second round series in 2022 against their provincial rivals, Calgary, the Oilers felt the Flames were targeting Leon Draisaitl's ankle, which was bothering him during that playoff run. The NHL's Department of Player Safety was made aware that the Flames were targeting Draisaitl last year.

It's going to be interesting to watch if the Oilers continue to target Stone's back, because if they do, will the NHL's Department of Player Safety keep an eye on it like they did with the Flames and Draisaitl last year?

Game 2 between the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights is set for Saturday night at 7 p.m. ET.

«If you catch that on camera, it's going out there.»

The panel discusses Mark Stone's back. pic.twitter.com/agcczFp891� Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 4, 2023