Huge controversy in Vegas and Gary Bettman is in trouble

This news is crucial for the Vegas team, as Stone had been injured on January 12th against Florida while being the team's second-best player.

It's important to note that Mark Stone missed a full 3 months of the current season, during which he accumulated 38 points in 43 games. The news of his return for the first game of the playoffs has generated strong reactions and reignited the controversy surrounding the "Nikita Kucherov rule."

Indeed, the Golden Knights were able to place Stone on the long-term injured reserve list, allowing them to acquire solid new players for an amount equivalent to Stone's annual salary ($9.5 million).

Now, they can bring Stone back into their lineup just in time for the playoffs, as there is no salary cap during the postseason. It's curious that Stone is returning to full health right as the playoffs begin.

Naturally, Gary Bettman has taken some heat, and the controversy has truly exploded.

The Vegas Golden Knights, Pacific Division champions and top team in the Western Conference standings, are considered favorites to win their series against the Jets.