Mitch Marner's journey with the Vegas Golden Knights hasn't been a straight shot to stardom, but as his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, come to town, all eyes are on whether he'll finally unleash his full potential. It's a storyline packed with emotion, and the potential for a dazzling performance is definitely there.
It would be a disservice to paint Marner's integration into the Golden Knights as perfectly smooth. Some nights, we've witnessed flashes of brilliance, the kind of plays only a handful of NHL players can execute. These moments remind us why he's so highly regarded. But on other nights, he's appeared to be still finding his footing, struggling to consistently impact the game.
Despite these ups and downs, Marner is quietly putting together another strong season. He recently notched his 11th goal in a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena. That's no small feat, and it speaks to his underlying talent.
"It’s always fun to be on the right side of overtime," Marner commented after the game. "Unfortunate goal at the end there to tie it up. Got a good pushback, and a good first shift in overtime to win it.”
Now, here's the thing: Goals haven't exactly been flowing freely for Marner this season. He endured an 11-game stretch between November 8th and 28th without finding the back of the net. However, since then, he's tallied seven goals and, more importantly, accumulated 24 points in 21 games. This highlights his playmaking ability, and how valuable he is even when he's not scoring.
The Golden Knights clearly recognize Marner's scoring prowess. They're not asking him to completely reinvent his game, realizing his inherent offensive instincts. But here's where it gets interesting... He's been playing center for the 11th time in 12 games. This raises the question: Is the team subtly exploring different roles for him, potentially unlocking even more of his capabilities? Is he more valuable to the team in a position other than the one he's primarily known for?
The 28-year-old is set to face his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, at T-Mobile Arena. It will be his first game against them since the Golden Knights acquired him in a sign-and-trade deal on July 1st. You can bet there will be tons of emotions in the stadium that night.
Marner is attempting to downplay the significance of the reunion, stating, "I haven’t thought about it until right now," regarding facing his hometown team, which drafted him fourth overall in 2015. But let's be real, can he truly block out the history and emotions tied to that game?
Let's break down that goal he scored against the Kings. One common critique of Marner is that he sometimes lacks assertiveness with the puck. He's more inclined to set up his teammates than take the shot himself. His goal on Wednesday showcased the kind of aggressive play that many have been wanting to see more of.
Marner received a pass from captain Mark Stone at the point and saw open ice ahead. He skated down the slot and unleashed a wrist shot that found its way past Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper at the far post, giving the Golden Knights a 2-1 lead. It was a confident, decisive play.
"Clean break-in, went down to Stone there, kind of tried to go high-pressure," Marner explained. "Saw a hole, Stone made a great play, and from that point on, I had a lot of time to decide what I was going to do.”
The Golden Knights' power play typically revolves around center Jack Eichel at the half wall and Stone near the goal line. Marner, often acting as the quarterback of the unit, tends to defer to these two key players. And this is the part most people miss... should he be deferring so much, or taking more initiative?
"I think at first, I decided maybe I was going to take a slap shot, try to get a tip play, and then I saw both guys go to Tomas Hertl and Pavel Dorofeyev. Kind of walked in, and luckily I was able to find my spot.”
Marner's willingness to be more active with the puck adds another dimension to the Golden Knights' power play, which is currently ranked fourth in the league at 26.5 percent. Anything that alleviates pressure on Eichel and Stone and prevents crowding on the left side is a definite positive for the team.
Coach Bruce Cassidy attributes the Golden Knights' recent offensive surge over the past five games to improved movement in the offensive zone. This enhanced mobility has directly benefited Marner, allowing him to exploit open ice and create scoring opportunities.
It's almost as if he's channeling his old self from his Toronto days. A timely resurgence, considering the Maple Leafs are in town. Marner spent the first nine years of his NHL career with Toronto, forging deep connections and building a reputation.
"I don’t think I got to look at it any different," he said of the upcoming game. "Just look at it as another hockey game and just go out there and do my thing.” Is it just another game, or a chance to prove himself against his former team?
Cassidy recognizes the potential emotional weight of the game for Marner. He believes one way to support him is for the team to "go out and play well." A strong team performance could help Marner settle into the game and perform at his best.
Toronto, before suffering a 6-1 defeat in Utah, had won eight of their last 10 games, including a four-game winning streak. They're playing some of their best hockey as they head into this marquee matchup. Will the Leafs bounce back, or will that loss linger?
"He was there a long time. I get it," Cassidy acknowledged. "I think the guys in the room will help walk him through it. Mark Stone’s been through it in Ottawa. Jack has been through it in Buffalo. There’s lots of guys he can bounce ideas off."
Cassidy added, "For me, it’s another game we’ll use him like we usually do and hopefully get him a few extra shifts here and there, because I’m sure he’s going to be highly motivated.”
Up Next
- Who: Maple Leafs at Golden Knights
- When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday
- Where: T-Mobile Arena
- TV: ESPN
- Radio: KFLG 94.7 FM, KKGK 1340 AM
- Line: Knights -140; total 6½
So, what do you think? Will Marner rise to the occasion against his former team? Is he being used effectively by the Golden Knights, or could they be maximizing his potential even further? Share your predictions and opinions in the comments below!
