Marner’s Playoff Hat Trick Powers Vegas to 2-1 Lead Sport By lines May 9, 2026 Mitch Marner answered every critic on Friday night in Las Vegas. Marner scored his first career playoff hat trick in the Golden Knights’ Game 3 win over the Anaheim Ducks. Las Vegas took a 2-1 second-round series lead. How Marner Silenced a Career of Playoff Doubts Mitch Marner now leads all playoff scorers with 13 points and ties for the goal lead at six, per r/hockey. Marner’s hat trick was the natural variety. Marner’s three goals came in a dominant first period for Las Vegas. The Golden Knights scored three goals on just seven shots in the opening frame to seize control, per r/hockey. ESPN described Marner as shedding years of Cup critiques with the Game 3 performance. Marner spent years in Toronto battling a reputation for postseason underperformance. Marner joined the Golden Knights this season and now leads the Western Conference playoff field in scoring. Mitch Marner’s hat trick is his first across six NHL playoff appearances. Las Vegas defeated Anaheim 3-1 in Game 1 behind Ivan Barbashev before the Ducks tied the series in Game 2. Mitch Marner’s first-period backbreaker in Game 3 swung the momentum back to Las Vegas. The Golden Knights now bring a 2-1 advantage back to Anaheim for Game 4. Anaheim must win Game 4 at home to even the series. Related Sports Coverage McDavid, MacKinnon, Kucherov Vie for 2026 NHL MVP Sabres Down Canadiens 4-2 in Round 2 Series Opener Barbashev, Golden Knights Edge Ducks 3-1 in Game 1 Sources: ESPN (Marner hat trick), r/hockey, r/hockey (points leader).
