Mitch Marner scored just over a minute into Game 6, propelling the Vegas Golden Knights to a 5-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks and clinching a spot in the NHL Western Conference Final.
Marner leads all postseason scorers with 18 points, including seven goals and 11 assists across 12 games, according to Yahoo Sports and The Leafs Nation.
His total is three points ahead of Quinn Hughes and Kirill Kaprizov.
The former Toronto Maple Leafs winger joined Vegas via a sign-and-trade agreement last summer.
While Marner thrives in Nevada, Toronto missed the 2025-26 postseason but secured the first-overall pick in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft.
The Maple Leafs are expected to select Penn State star winger Gavin McKenna.
Analysis of the Upcoming Series
Former NHL winger T. J.
Oshie analyzed the series between Vegas and Colorado on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast.
"I think they're trending exactly how they should be," Oshie said.
Oshie noted that the Golden Knights rely on a layered defensive structure and physical puck battles rather than pure speed to counter transition-heavy opponents.
"I think they needed Mitch Marner to play like this in order to really get the job done," Oshie said.
The Avalanche enter the third round with an 8-1 postseason record, though defenseman Cale Makar is ruled out for Game 1.
Vegas captain Mark Stone's health remains a key factor for the Golden Knights' defensive structure.
"I think they can play fast, which is different than straight speed, but I think they're gonna need Mitch Marner," Oshie said.
"They're gonna need him to be a superstar against Colorado."
Oshie emphasized the need for health: "You have to be healthy against Colorado."
"My gut tells me that Colorado is the heavy favorite the rest of the playoffs, remaining four, but if Mitch Marner plays how we saw him there in that last series, Colorado showed that they can get scored on," Oshie said.
Minnesota managed to find offensive success against Colorado before being eliminated.
"Minnesota was scoring goals on them at certain times, but they're gonna need Stone healthy," Oshie said.
Game 1 of the Western Conference Final is scheduled to begin under the management of Vegas head coach John Tortorella.
