Mitch Marner Scores First Playoff Hat Trick in Golden Knights' 6-2 Win Over Ducks

Mitch Marner scored his first career playoff hat trick Friday night as the Vegas Golden Knights beat the Anaheim Ducks 6-2.

The 29-year-old winger tallied three goals in the game, matching his previous high for an entire postseason with the Toronto Maple Leafs. In 70 playoff games with Toronto, Marner had only two multi-goal games. He has two already in nine postseason contests with Vegas.

Marner left Toronto amid tension with the franchise and harsh scrutiny from local media. His regular-season production ranked among the league's best, but playoff results drew criticism, especially in key moments.

Fans widely believed a change of teams would help unlock his postseason potential. So far with the Golden Knights, he is delivering.

Vegas holds a 2-1 series lead over Anaheim and stands two wins from the Conference Finals, a stage Marner never reached in Toronto. The Leafs failed to advance past the second round during his tenure there.

With the Edmonton Oilers eliminated early from the playoffs, Vegas eyes a return to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since its championship three seasons ago.

Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs sit out of playoff contention in their first season without Marner. They are positioned to draft Gavin McKenna, another prospect with high expectations.