With the Vegas Golden Knights hampered by injuries, it has forced the club into using Mitch Marner in an unorthodox role that he might have to get used to.
The Vegas Golden Knights have struggled in recent weeks and it has led them into trying unorthodox methods to get out of their losing ways. With Jack Eichel sidelined, head coach Bruce Cassidy gave Mitch Marner an opportunity at the centre position on the top line.
Ivan Barbashev was centering the first line in recent games, but with the team struggling to score goals, and going into a tough matchup against Edmonton’s high-powered offense, Cassidy decided to front-load his lines and had Marner centering Barbashev and Mark Stone.
It’s safe to say that things haven’t worked as planned tonight with the Oilers leading 4-1 heading into the third period. Vegas has also been thoroughly outplayed at even-strength, perhaps indicating that Marner’s move to the middle of the ice has not panned out.
The honeymoon phase for Marner in Las Vegas might be coming to an end with the star winger not playing to his usual lofty heights, at least compared to his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He does have 34 points in 33 games but that is far from what we’re used to seeing from the former first round pick. Marner recorded a career-high 75 assists and 102 points in 81 games last year and has not recorded a season at or below a point-per-game since his sophomore campaign when he collected 69 points in 82 games.
His 6 goals on the season also have him on pace for just 15 goals, which would represent a career-low, even lower than his 19 goals during his rookie campaign.
It remains to be seen if the Golden Knights will keep Marner down the middle, but that would likely depend on Eichel’s status moving forward. Tonight marked his 3rd consecutive game on the sidelines, where they lost the first two games with a combined 4 goals scored.
Marner will need to step up in his absence to get the Knights back in the winning column. He has recorded 10 points over his last 8 games, including a power play assist tonight, but has not scored a goal in 5 games.
Previously on Toronto Hockey Daily