Overview
- Thursday’s game in Las Vegas is Marner’s first against Toronto since July’s sign-and-trade that sent him to Vegas on an eight-year, $96 million contract, with Nicolas Roy going to the Maple Leafs.
- Marner enters with 11 goals and 47 points in 45 games, reflecting near point-per-game production while Vegas tests him at center and as the power‑play quarterback.
- The Golden Knights sit atop the Pacific on a five-game winning streak after a 3-2 OT win over the Kings, while the Maple Leafs push toward a wild-card berth after an 8-0-2 surge ended Tuesday in Utah.
- Marner downplayed the matchup, saying he has treated it like any other game, as coach Bruce Cassidy noted the team will support him and likely lean on his motivation.
- Analysts contrast his output with a top-five cap hit, arguing postseason results will shape broader judgment of his value, with a return game in Toronto set for Jan. 23.