Mitch Marner, center for the Vegas Golden Knights, recorded his first career Stanley Cup playoff hat trick on Friday night, continuing a strong postseason performance. The Golden Knights defeated the Anaheim Ducks 6-2 in Game 3, taking a 2-1 series lead.
The 29-year-old forward tallied three goals and one assist, bringing his playoff totals to six goals and 13 points in nine games. He is now just one point shy of matching a career high for a single postseason in his first campaign with Vegas, after spending nine seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Marner assisted on Brayden McNabb’s shorthanded goal in the first period before scoring a power-play goal on a rebound with five seconds left in the frame. He added his second goal near the midpoint of the second period, receiving a diagonal pass from Shea Theodore through the slot. With nearly two minutes remaining in the period, Marner took a pass behind the net, circled to the right side of Ducks goaltender Ville Husso, and snapped a shot that deflected off Husso’s skate for the hat trick.
Given that Marner faced annual criticism for lacking production when the Maple Leafs had opportunities to advance, hockey fans on social media platform X were quick to reference his former team following the natural hat trick.
“I know a team that could really use a guy like Marner,” @Blottskie said.
“Marner stays pissing Leaf fans off in the playoffs,” wrote @alexwalsh6.
“Alright it really is just the Leafs curse. Fair move,” @Ben_181818 posted.
Marner now leads all playoff scorers, having recorded points in seven of nine games.
“They don’t call him Playoff Mitch for nothing!!!!!!!!,” wrote @iRipp1.
“Generational to say the least,” said @KnightsMuse_.
“All it took for Mitch Marner to become a 16-game player was being freed from the shackles of Toronto,” @FitzGSN_ posted.
Former NHLer Paul Bissonnette, who had previously criticized Marner’s play, ran laps in the NHL on TNT studio during the second intermission. “I’m sorry Mitch,” he said. “I should have never doubted you. I’m an idiot.”
Meanwhile, Maple Leafs fans are hoping that winning the NHL draft lottery leads to selecting someone like Gavin McKenna, who could fill the gap Marner left when he joined Vegas last summer. “I’m over Mitch Marner,” @TMLJaysNiners said. “It was for the best, and McKenna was the result. Best of luck 93.”
Game 4 starts Sunday at 9:30 p.m. ET.
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