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Ottawa Senators: Mark Stone Sets New Career High in Goals

By Hunter Eitel |
WINNIPEG, MB - FEBRUARY 16: Mark Stone #61 of the Ottawa Senators plays the puck down the ice as Kyle Connor #81 of the Winnipeg Jets gives chase during second period action at the Bell MTS Place on February 16, 2019 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - FEBRUARY 16: Mark Stone #61 of the Ottawa Senators plays the puck down the ice as Kyle Connor #81 of the Winnipeg Jets gives chase during second period action at the Bell MTS Place on February 16, 2019 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)

The 26-year old continues to show why the Ottawa Senators need to keep him around.

In a 4-3 overtime victory over the Winnipeg Jets, the Ottawa Senators saw their future captain (If you keep saying it, it will happen) set a new career milestone.

Mark Stone opened the scoring with his 27th goal of the season, setting a new career high for goals in a season. Stone also picked up an assist on Matt Duchene’s 27th goal of the season, showing that even the universe wants these two players to stay in Ottawa.

Even with how this season has gone, Stone has continued to showcase his scoring touch and leadership abilities that make him priceless to the Ottawa Senators organization.

Captain Material

Prior to this season, Stone’s career high in goals was 26, set during the 2014-15 season. He also set his career high in points during that same year with 64, a number Stone is set to smash this season. He is currently sitting on 59 points in 58 games, on pace for well over 80 points in a lost season.

Five of Stone’s goals this season have come on the power play, along with one shorthanded goal. He is second on the team in even-strength goals, behind Duchene who has 22. He is also scoring with precision, having a 19.1 shooting percentage on 141 shots, the 12th best percentage in the NHL.

This season has shown that, when healthy, Stone can be a consistent offensive force. He has yet to play a full 82 game season and only played in 58 games last year, but that has not slowed him down when it comes to appearing on the scoresheet.

As for how Stone will finish out the season, at his current pace he would finish the season with around 38 goals and 45 assists. That would give Stone the first 80-plus point season of his career and highlight why the Ottawa Senators need to keep him under contract at all costs.

Next. It’s Crunch Time for Pierre Dorion. dark

Last night the crowd in Winnipeg audibly chanted “We want Stone!” In reference to the rumors that the Jets are chomping at the bit to get Stone before the trade deadline. But if the Ottawa Senators were smart, they would lock Stone up to a long-term deal now and reap the rewards of his scoring and leadership quality instead of shipping him off for draft picks.

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