Mitch Marner’s first game back in Toronto came with plenty of emotion on both sides. Some in the crowd were supportive, whereas some tried to show their disapproval as he stepped onto the ice wearing a Vegas Golden Knights jersey.
The reception also caught the attention of Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, who shared his thoughts on seeing a familiar teammate return to Scotiabank Arena as an opponent.
Auston Matthews Speaks on Mitch Marner’s Toronto Comeback and Leafs Crowd Response
Marner’s return to Toronto drew plenty of attention, both positive and negative. Before warmups, an incident caught attention when Keegan Kolesar grabbed and threw a Leafs fan’s jersey that labeled Marner a “sellout” near the visitor’s tunnel. When Marner hit the ice, some fans booed during his opening lap, and the noise picked up on his first shift and first puck touch, though there was also a brief and unexpected ovation at one point.
The Maple Leafs recognized Marner during a first-period television timeout with a short video tribute. The clip featured glimpses of his long run in Toronto, where he spent nine seasons and ranked among the franchise’s all-time leaders.
After the game, Matthews shared his thoughts on how the night unfolded for his former teammate. Speaking with reporter Anna Dua, Matthews said, “It was nice that there were some cheers for him during the video tribute… I think it was kinda done the right way… there’s gonna be the boos when he’s on the ice and has the puck and all that stuff, I think it’s pretty expected… I thought it was a good atmosphere, I thought it was fun.”
Vegas backed up the emotion with a strong performance, earning a 6-3 win in Toronto. Mark Stone led the way with two goals and an assist, extending his point streak to 14 games, while Jack Eichel added a goal and an assist, and Ivan Barbashev recorded two helpers. Marner played 17:25 in his return to Toronto, finishing with one shot and no points in that game.
Earlier in the month, the same teams met in Vegas, where the Golden Knights rallied for a 6-5 overtime win at T-Mobile Arena.
READ MORE: Mitch Marner Gets Candid About Emotional Maple Leafs Tribute in Return to Toronto
Marner’s move to Vegas last summer closed a long and intense chapter in Toronto. Drafted fourth overall by the Maple Leafs in 2015, he left in a July 2025 sign-and-trade after inking an eight-year, $96 million contract with a $12 million annual cap hit.
Now 28, Marner remains a key part of Vegas’ offense, relying on speed and playmaking more than pure goal scoring. This season, he has recorded 12 goals and 40 assists for 52 points in 50 games with a plus-10 rating, continuing to drive the power play and create chances for his teammates.
