Mitch Marner Focused on Stanley Cup, Not Ready To Share About Dark Moments

Mitch Marner leads the Stanley Cup playoffs with 21 points, 7 goals and 14 assists in sixteen games played so far.

Mitch Marner Focused on Stanley Cup, Not Ready To Share About Dark Moments

Mitch Marner (Image via Getty Images)

Mitch Marner has come a long way from his Toronto Maple Leafs era, playing for the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup final series. Marner, 29, joined the Golden Knights after nine unfulfilling seasons with the Maple Leafs with a sequence of early playoff exits.

Marner has caused a stir in the hockey community with a bout of controversial takes a few days ago. After Game 3 against the Colorado Avalanche, he noted that his current team “don’t turn on each other” when things don’t go their way, possibly referring to his time with Toronto. After he helped the Golden Knights sweeped the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Final, he added on that there have been a few dark moments in his life.

Ahead of the Game 1 of their series against the Carolina Hurricanes, Marner was prompted a few follow-up questions about his statement. However, the Canadian was reluctant to speak about that and said that his focus remains on the Stanley Cup.

“I’ll talk about that in the coming weeks, if it happens. Right now, I’m just focused on getting (to) the job at hand and excited to start this up,” Marner told the reporters on Media Day in Raleigh

Jack Eichel, who left the Buffalo Sabres for the Golden Knights in 2021, said that Marner was treated unfairly by the Maple Leafs. He also showered heaps of praise on him, adding that he “thinks the world of Mitch” and that “anybody that has negative or bad things to say about him (Marner), obviously I disagree with, because I think highly of him.“

Meanwhile, Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon took a straight jab to the Maple Leafs. Earlier, he came to Marner’s defense after the backlash he faced following his statements.

On Media Day, McCrimmon told reporters that the Golden Knights have a better team than Toronto with a deeper roster. He added that Mitch Marner has transformed in Vegas and playing with “tremendous confidence.”

It has definitely shown in his numbers as well. It was well known how Marner struggled in the postseason in Toronto, but the story is quite different now. The Ontario-born leads the playoff production, with 21 points in 16 games with 7 goals and 14 assists so far. Needless to say, this has been Marner’s best career numbers in postseason (the previous best being 14 in 2022-23).

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Vegas Golden Knights took Game 1 of the Carolina Hurricanes series

The Vegas Golden Knights overcame a shaky start to edge the Carolina Hurricanes 5-4 in a thrilling, back-and-forth Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. Playing in Raleigh, Carolina channeled the roaring energy of the home crowd to jump out to a quick 2-0 first-period lead thanks to two brilliant goals by Nikolaj Ehlers.

Vegas Golden Knights huddle in celebration amidst the win over the Canes in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Series (Image via ESPN)
Vegas Golden Knights huddle in celebration amidst the win over the Canes in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Series (Image via ESPN)

Under a mid-period wake-up call from coach John Tortorella, Vegas roared back with three straight goals from Shea Theodore, Ivan Barbashev, and William Karlsson to take a 3-2 lead in the second frame.

The third period turned into an absolute shootout. Brett Howden scored his postseason-leading 11th goal early in the period to put Vegas up 4-3, but Carolina’s Shayne Gostisbehere answered back off a clean skate down the left side to knot the game at 4-4.

The game was ultimately decided in the final minutes. With just over three minutes left on the clock, Vegas’ scandalous goaltender Carter Hart made a massive, game-saving stop on Carolina’s Seth Jarvis. Seconds later, Tomas Hertl capitalized on the shifting momentum, burying a backhand feed from Colton Sissons from the slot with 3:24 remaining to seal the 5-4 victory.

With the win, Vegas takes a 1-0 series lead and steals home-ice advantage, extending their playoff win streak to seven games. Game 2 remains in Raleigh on Thursday.

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