Pair Of Golden Knights In Line To Play Key Roles On Team Canada

Team Canada had its first practice ahead of the 4 Nations Face-Off, and Vegas Golden Knights' Mark Stone and Shea Theodore are expected to play vital roles.

Team Canada had its first practice ahead of the 4 Nations Face-Off, and Vegas Golden Knights' Mark Stone and Shea Theodore are expected to play vital roles.

Stone and Theodore are immensely important to the Golden Knights' success. Stone is the captain and has been the team's second-best point scorer on a per-game basis since Jack Eichel's arrival. Theodore has been with the Golden Knights since day one, still manning their first power play unit and producing elite numbers from the back end.

Team Canada's coaching staff senses how important they are and has placed them in positions to be key contributors.

In the team's first skate, Stone skated alongside the NHL's reigning Hart Trophy winner and current points leader, Nathan MacKinnon and Team Canada's captain and most decorated player, Sidney Crosby. He also skated on the second power play unit, joined by Theodore.

Theodore was paired up with Alex Pietrangelo's replacement, Drew Doughty. On the second power play unit, Theodore was placed as the quarterback, and Stone appeared to be the net-front presence. 

With names like Crosby, MacKinnon, Connor McDavid and Cale Makar, it was always likely that they wouldn't receive the same opportunities as they do in Vegas, but the early signs point to both Stone and Theodore being given the opportunity to leave a real impact in this tournament. 

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