As the matchup against Toronto approaches, Mitch Marner appears to be settling in nicely with the Vegas Golden Knights.
The journey of Marner’s integration into the Knights' lineup has been gradual and at times, challenging. While some performances showcase his elite skill set—plays that only a handful of NHL players can execute—other nights reveal that he is still navigating his new environment.
Despite these ups and downs, Marner continues to have a remarkable season, recently netting his 11th goal during Wednesday's thrilling 3-2 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena. "It’s always fun to come out on top in overtime," Marner remarked. "It was unfortunate to concede a goal late to allow them to equalize, but we had a strong response and executed well in our first shift of overtime to secure the win."
Scoring hasn’t always come easily for Marner. He notably experienced a dry spell from November 8 to 28, going 11 consecutive games without a goal. However, since then, he has bounced back with seven goals and an impressive 24 points across 21 games.
Marner possesses undeniable scoring capabilities, and the Knights are not expecting him to completely overhaul his play style. Interestingly, he has also been playing center for the 11th time in 12 games, opening up various possibilities for his contributions.
This Thursday, he will take the ice at T-Mobile Arena against his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, marking his first encounter with them since the Knights acquired him in a sign-and-trade deal last July.
While some might view this game as a significant reunion, Marner is trying to keep it low-key. "Honestly, I hadn’t thought about it until this moment," he said regarding facing the franchise that selected him fourth overall in the 2015 draft.
Analyzing his recent goal, one area where Marner has received criticism is his lack of assertiveness with the puck. While he often prioritizes setting up his teammates, his recent goal exemplified the aggressive approach that has sometimes been missing.
During the game, he received a pass from captain Mark Stone at the point and saw a clear path ahead as he skated down the slot. His wrist shot found the back of the net, beating Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper at the far post, putting the Knights ahead 2-1. "It was a clean entry; I passed it to Stone and tried to apply high pressure," Marner explained. "I spotted an opening, and thanks to Stone’s excellent play, I had plenty of time to make my decision."
The Knights’ power play strategy revolves around center Jack Eichel positioned at the half wall and Stone stationed near the goal line. As the quarterback of this unit, Marner typically looks to defer to Eichel and Stone. "Initially, I considered taking a slap shot to create a tip opportunity, but I noticed both defenders shifted towards Hertl and Dorofeyev. I moved in and was fortunate enough to find my spot to score."
Marner’s movement with the puck adds a new dynamic to a power play that ranks fourth in the league, boasting a conversion rate of 26.5%. This added mobility helps alleviate pressure on Eichel and Stone while preventing congestion on the left side.
As the Maple Leafs prepare to visit Las Vegas, Coach Bruce Cassidy attributed the Knights' offensive success over the past five games to improved movement in the offensive zone. Marner has greatly benefited from this, finding open space and looking reminiscent of his days in Toronto.
The timing couldn't be better with the Maple Leafs coming to town. Having spent his first nine seasons in Toronto, Marner is aware of the stakes. "I don’t plan to approach it any differently than other games; I’ll just focus on doing my job on the ice," he said.
Cassidy believes one way to help Marner cope with what could be an emotionally charged evening is for the team to perform well collectively. Prior to their loss to Utah on Tuesday, Toronto had won eight out of ten games, including four straight, showcasing their strong form heading into this highly anticipated matchup.
"He was part of that organization for a long time, and I understand that," Cassidy noted. "The guys in the locker room will support him through this. Players like Mark Stone and Jack Eichel have faced similar situations and can offer guidance.
"For us, it’s just another game where we’ll deploy him as usual while possibly giving him a few extra shifts, knowing he’ll be highly motivated for this one."
Upcoming Game Details:
Who: Maple Leafs vs. Golden Knights
When: Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Where: T-Mobile Arena
Broadcast: ESPN
Radio: KFLG 94.7 FM, KKGK 1340 AM
Betting Line: Knights -140; Over/Under total 6½
For further insights, feel free to reach out to Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com or follow him on social media @DannyWebster21.
