For the first time in his National Hockey League career, Mitch Marner suited up in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in a matchup that took place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, home of his new club, the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Marner era with the Maple Leafs officially came to an end during the offseason, as he signed an eight-year, $96 million contract with the team, which was immediately dealt to the Golden Knights in a planned move in exchange for Nicolas Roy.
It was a fresh start for Marner in new surroundings and was part of the change deemed necessary by general manager Brad Treliving to shake up the club’s DNA after their latest playoff failure.
On Thursday evening in Sin City, there were more than a few Maple Leafs fans in attendance in the venue, and there were very loud and noticeable boos during the game whenever Marner had the puck.
However, it was Marner and the Golden Knights who ultimately got the last laugh over the Maple Leafs, winning a thrilling 6-5 overtime final score thanks to a late-game tying goal from Thomas Hertl followed by the game-winner in the extra session from Jack Eichel.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs Couldn’t Hold The Lead Against Mitch Marner And The Vegas Golden Knights
The Maple Leafs appeared to have things well in hand thanks to a trio of goals in the first period thanks to Morgan Rielly, William Nylander, and Auston Matthews. While Pavel Dorofeyev countered for Vegas, the Leafs still took a 3-1 lead into the dressing room after 20 minutes of play.
Both teams traded goals in the middle frame, as Keegan Kolesar scored for Vegas while John Tavares lit the lamp for the Maple Leafs.
It would be Dorofeyev scoring again early in the third period for Vegas, only to have Toronto restore the two-goal lead again thanks to Scott Laughton.
However, Vegas would mount a comeback effort in front of their mostly pro-Golden Knights crowd thanks to a goal from team captain Mark Stone midway through the third, followed by the late game-tying goal with a vacated net by Tomas Hertl with seven seconds remaining in regulation.
In overtime, it was Eichel sealing the deal and confirming the second point in the standings for the host Golden Knights.
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Mitch Marner Had Never Played Against The Maple Leafs Before In His Career
An Ontario native who grew up idolizing the Maple Leafs, it seemed as though it was a match made in heaven when he was selected in the first round (fourth overall) in the 2015 NHL Draft by the Maple Leafs.
Marner’s talent and impact on the game was immediately noticeable, and he and the rest of his Maple Leafs teammates would eventually go on to enjoy several productive regular seasons together.
However, Marner’s performance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs took plenty of heat over the years from frustrated fans, who watched their team suffer disappointing defeat after disappointing defeat.
Ultimately, Marner and the Maple Leafs won a total of two playoff series during his entire tenure with the club. Now with the Golden Knights, Marner has the chance at the Stanley Cup with the powerful Western Conference club.
Maple Leafs Fans Have Brutal Reaction To Mitch Marner In Vegas