Getty

(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

For just the third time in his NHL career, former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner has advanced past the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Unfortunately for the Maple Leafs, there’s only one problem – he’s not on their team anymore.

The Maple Leafs made a massive change last offseason when they shipped Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights as part of a major sign and trade deal that landed them Nicolas Roy in return. Not only was Roy later traded away by the Maple Leafs, but they also fired general manager Brad Treliving in late March; the club also missed the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Marner and the Golden Knights defeated the Utah Mammoth in the opening round thanks to a two-goal Game 6 performance by Marner, and he’s elevated his performance even higher on Friday evening against the Anaheim Ducks.

Former Toronto Maple Leafs Forward Mitch Marner Has His First Career Stanley Cup Playoff Hat Trick

Not only are the Golden Knights putting the hammer to the Ducks in Game 3 with their Western Conference Semifinal series knotted at one game apiece, but Marner will be the game’s first star.

He tallied his first career playoff hat trick, helping the Golden Knights take a commanding 5-0 lead by the end of the second period.

The reactions on social media began pouring in, with many of the reactions poking fun at Toronto.

One fan said, “Pretty funny how Marner is actually producing in the playoffs the second he got out of Toronto.”

Another fan exclaimed, “It’s always been a Toronto problem, Marner was clutch for Canada even at 4 Nations last year.”

Keeping in that vein, this fan said, “Almost like anyone with a brain could’ve seen this coming. Vegas actually has good defensive players, so Mitch can focus on his offensive prowess. Not that hard to crack the code. Mitch was never the problem, Toronto was.”

“Leafs fans in absolute shambles. Matthews seeing the party in Vegas and wants to join,” another fan said. 

This fan took a different approach, saying, “As a leaf fan it’s so funny to see people cry about him like an ex gf. Guy is kessel in Pitt. he can do this if he has about 2 or 3 layers of cover like any of the core players on the leafs who also cannot win by themselves.”

Finally, this fan said, “Leaf fans are seething. First they missed out on Laine and now Marner is having his best season yet. You love to see it folks.”

Mitch Marner Is A Golden Knight For The Next Several Years

Not only did the Golden Knights acquire him, but he’s now under contract with them through 2033 with a salary cap hit of $12 million.

While he didn’t quite reach his career-high point total of 102 that he registered in what would prove to be his final year with the Leafs in 2024-25, he’s on a team that is stacked with talent and is now one of the four remaining clubs in the Western Conference with a shot at the Stanley Cup.