Thursday night featured the very first matchup of former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner against his former club in what was a thrilling 6-5 overtime victory for his new club, the Vegas Golden Knights, at T-Mobile Arena in Sin City.
It was naturally the top storyline for both teams, as players from both sides had this date circled on their calendars since the schedule was released last fall.
While it was one of the two biggest games of the season for the Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews wasn’t interested in rehashing the same topic of his former teammate for what seemed like the umpteenth time.
While interviewing with TSN reporter Mark Masters following the pre-game warmup, he was asked if he looked across center ice for Marner. Matthews wasn’t in the mood.
“I didn’t look over,” said Matthews. “I think I’ve had enough of the Mitch questions for the day. Let’s just get ready for the game and go from there.”
Matthews did score for the Maple Leafs during the contest, but was also a minus-3.
The Maple Leafs and Golden Knights won’t have to wait long to face one another again, as they’ll next play each other in Toronto next week.
Considering it will be Marner’s return to Toronto for the first time since he dejectedly skated off the ice with the rest of his now-former teammates after their Game 7 loss to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Semifinal, the fanfare and storylines will be put into overdrive in the days and hours leading up to the opening face-off.
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The Mitch Marner Era With The Toronto Maple Leafs Ended This Past Offseason
After the latest collapse by the Maple Leafs in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the expectation was that there were going to be major changes in store for the franchise, especially after general manager Brad Treliving announced the need for shift in the club’s DNA.
The most meaningful change came when Marner was shipped to the Golden Knights shortly after signing an eight-year, $96 million contract. In return for Marner, the Maple Leafs received forward Nicolas Roy.
After several postseason disappointments with the Maple Leafs, Marner is hoping that playing with the Golden Knights, who are only two seasons removed from their first Stanley Cup, represents his best chance at winning a title – perhaps multiple times.
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Mitch Marner Reveled In The Victory Over His Old Club
While Marner still has love for several of his former teammates that still wear the Maple Leafs crest, it was strictly business when the puck was dropped.
The dramatic comeback victory by the Golden Knights understandably left him feeling elated afterward.
“My teammates knew this one meant a bit more for me,” said Marner. “Once the puck dropped, it just felt like another hockey game out there. It’s a competitive game. You always want to try to beat your buddies.”
During the victory, which gave the Golden Knights a four-point cushion in the Pacific Division standings over the second place Edmonton Oilers, Marner registered a pair of assists while playing in 22:23 of total ice time.
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