For the first time in weeks, the Vegas Golden Knights looked like the team that expected to contend. Captain Mark Stone returned from a five-game absence due to an upper-body injury, and the offense erupted in a 6-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday at T-Mobile Arena.

Stone’s presence stabilized a forward group that had struggled to find consistency. He played 17:52 on the top line, providing both skill and emotional leadership. Coach Bruce Cassidy noted before the game, “(Stone’s) an emotional leader for us. This is the time of year when you need that emotion because it hasn’t gone well for us.”

The Knights (30-22-14) snapped a stretch in which they had won only two of their previous eight games. They put five goals on their first 15 shots, building a lead they would not relinquish.

Pavel Dorofeyev led the charge with two goals, setting a career high in points. His linemate Mitch Marner added a goal and an assist, including a spectacular effort in the second period. Marner intercepted a pass in the neutral zone, carried into the slot, played a give-and-go with Dorofeyev, then — while being tripped by Penguins goalie Arturs Silovs — fired the puck home from midair for his 19th goal of the season.

Colton Sissons opened the scoring at 8:41 of the first period with his 100th career goal. Jack Eichel extended his goal streak to three games, scoring in the third period. Adin Hill made 24 saves in his third consecutive start.

The Penguins (32-18-15) were without captain Sidney Crosby (lower body) and center Evgeni Malkin (suspension). Despite a three-game point streak entering the night, they could not mount a comeback this time. Rickard Rakell scored for Pittsburgh, but the Knights responded each time.

Dorofeyev’s second goal came at 4:35 of the third period, and Eichel made it 5-2 at 6:20. The Knights continue their homestand Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks.