Story perspectives

Vegas One Win From Cup; Marner Leads Playoffs

5/27/2026

Summary

Golden Knights Advance

Vegas Golden Knights are one win from the Stanley Cup Final after taking a 3-0 series lead over Colorado.
Mitch Marner leads the playoffs with seven goals, 14 assists and 21 points in 15 games.
Marner, who signed an eight-year, $96 million contract with Vegas, praised his team’s calm versus Toronto’s past playoff woes.
The Knights can clinch a final berth on Tuesday if they win the next game.

Summary

Marner Dominates

Mitch Marner posted a series ixG of just under 0.6, the highest among all skaters in the Western Conference Final.
After the Knights dismissed head coach Bruce Cassidy and hired John Tortorella, Marner’s elite play surged, driven by his odd-man rushes and the new aggressive forechecking system.
If his dominance continues, Marner could win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

Summary

Marner Wins Cup

Sid Seixeiro says the worst case for Leafs fans is Mitch Marner winning the Cup in his first year after being traded.
He warns fans may have to temporarily root for Montreal if the Canadiens reach the final.
Seixeiro called a Marner championship “a complete indictment of the organization,” said Leafs supporters must bite the bullet, and noted the trade sent Nicolas Roy to Toronto, now facing Marner with Colorado.

Summary

Marner Leads

Jonathan Marner logged most ice time of any Vegas forward and most penalty-kill minutes among forwards in Game 2.
Defenseman Shea Theodore called Marner “unbelievable,” citing his puck work, vision and leadership.
Coach John Tortorella said Marner’s daily practice habits and off-ice leadership shape locker-room culture and keep veteran group patient and united.
His centre-wing versatility and penalty killing leave him one shorthanded assist shy of Wayne Gretzky’s single-spring record.

History

Historical Context

After trading Joffrey Lupul, Ladislav Šmid, a 2007 first-round pick, a 2008 second-round pick and $5 million to Edmonton on July 3 2006, the Anaheim Ducks added defenseman Chris Pronger. The move helped the Ducks post a 110-point season, set a 16-game regulation unbeaten streak and capture the franchise’s first Stanley Cup on June 6 2007, the first for a California team.

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Golden Knights Advance

Vegas Golden Knights are one win from the Stanley Cup Final after taking a 3-0 series lead over Colorado.
Mitch Marner leads the playoffs with seven goals, 14 assists and 21 points in 15 games.
Marner, who signed an eight-year, $96 million contract with Vegas, praised his team’s calm versus Toronto’s past playoff woes.
The Knights can clinch a final berth on Tuesday if they win the next game.

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