Overview
- Thursday’s game in Las Vegas is Marner’s first against Toronto since his July 1 sign-and-trade, with a return to Scotiabank Arena set for Jan. 23.
- Marner enters with 11 goals and 47 points in 45 games and has recently been deployed at center, including scoring on the power play in Wednesday’s win over the Kings.
- The Golden Knights are on a five-game winning streak and lead the Pacific Division, while the Maple Leafs recently had a lengthy point run snapped and are hovering near a playoff spot.
- Marner downplayed the reunion, saying he will treat it as “another hockey game,” as coaches and teammates noted the emotions but emphasized sticking to routine usage.
- The trade sent Nicolas Roy to Toronto and enabled Marner’s eight-year, $96 million deal, a price tag that some analysts say outpaces his current production rate.