What Mitch Marner's night against Toronto revealed under pressure
Photo credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Although Mitch Marner came out victorious with a 6-5 OT victory, there is something very telling about the former Maple Leafs forward about how he handles pressure.
It was a shootout for the ages on Thursday night, but the Vegas Golden Knights came out with a 6-5 OT win thanks to a stunning comeback effort led by a four-point effort from Jack Eichel.
The game was also the first between Toronto and Vegas since Mitch Marner was traded and there was a lot of pressure on both sides to see how they would respond given all the attention garnered since the end of last season.
Marner had a two-point effort although it shouldn't be lost on the fact that Auston Matthews not only kept pace with his former linemate but also might have outplayed him; at least in one aspect.
Marner can't handle the pressure even after leaving Maple Leafs
Matthews' play versus his old teammate was the topic of discussion between JD Bunkis and Sam McKee post-Vegas victory, and they came to the conclusion that while Marner got the win; Matthews may have gotten the last laugh:
Marner got booed when he touched the puck, in his own barn. You know he didn't like that. That was eating him up.
I think he looked rattled. Congrats, you got a couple power-play points but did you really feel Mitch at 5-on-5? - Sam McKee
I'll tell you what, I mean he sets up the one that doesn't count, that was the most dangerous he looked. He thought the puck was a hand grenade, he barely wanted it on his stick because he was getting booed.
Here's the biggest positive takeaway other than Leafs fans showing up, it's Matthews completely out dogged Marner. The conversations about 'Letting the wrong guy go' dominated; Matthews was awful to start this year.
But Matthews was a dog with the puck all night, and Marner was passive. - JD Bunkis
I think he looked rattled. Congrats, you got a couple power-play points but did you really feel Mitch at 5-on-5? - Sam McKee
I'll tell you what, I mean he sets up the one that doesn't count, that was the most dangerous he looked. He thought the puck was a hand grenade, he barely wanted it on his stick because he was getting booed.
Here's the biggest positive takeaway other than Leafs fans showing up, it's Matthews completely out dogged Marner. The conversations about 'Letting the wrong guy go' dominated; Matthews was awful to start this year.
But Matthews was a dog with the puck all night, and Marner was passive. - JD Bunkis
Fans will look at the counting stats and see that Marner had more points and a better plus/minus rating but if getting booed by some fans who made the trip is any indication; Vegas might be in for it.
It's the same Mitch Marner with just a new coat of paint
What if Marner starts to falter? What if he gets into the playoffs and once again refuses to show up when it matters? It won't just be the Leafs faithful coming to boo him but his own fans and he escaped Toronto to get away from any pressure.
Matthews on the other hand didn't care if he lost the puck because he was just as hellbent on getting it back. He was dangerous all night, and there were several chances that Adin Hill had to stand on his head for to keep Vegas in the game.
But it's more telling that Marner really didn't feel comfortable playing at home, with a much more talented lineup at that. This was less Marner playmaking and more play-avoidance.
He managed to get the win and ended up being a factor in their win, but who knows if he'll get that lucky the next time around -- especially in a much more hostile environment.
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