Mitch Marner joined the Vegas Golden Knights this season, hoping for a fresh start. After years of intense scrutiny in Toronto, the move offered him stability, a chance to focus on winning, and a safer environment for his family.
The 28-year-old right winger has shown flashes of his playmaking skills, adapting quickly to Vegas’ lineup and establishing himself as a key contributor. However, even top players can face moments of frustration that fuel strong reactions from fans.
Fans React to Mitch Marner’s Latest Shootout Misfortune
Marner’s latest challenge came during a 2-1 shootout loss to the New Jersey Devils at T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday. Marner, who came in as the third Vegas player after Pavel Dorofeyev and Mark Stone, failed to send the puck past Devils goalie Josh Allen. This incident added to his ongoing struggles in shootouts this season, where he is 0-for-5. However, in the past, he has been successful in shootouts.
Before the trade in Toronto, he was tied with Joffrey Lupul for third in Maple Leafs history for career shootout goals with 11.
The fan reaction has been immediate and divided. One Vegas supporter defended Marner, saying, “Yes, I’m biased as a VGK fan. I get why the Mitch Marner goal was waved off in the overtime shootout. Just saying it wasn’t in the spirit of the rule. He didn’t touch the puck twice intentionally. It bounced off his skate organically due to Jake Allen.”
Others viewed it as a controversial call that robbed the Golden Knights of a fair result. “Wait, WHAT?! Mitch Marner’s penalty shot got poked checked by Jake Allen, which ricocheted back off Marner’s skate into the net for a goal. Yet the referee disallowed it because a player can’t touch the puck twice? Devils win. Bruh. VGK got robbed!” one fan exclaimed.
Marner’s history of shootout misses this year also sparked criticism. “Mitch Marner 0-for-4 in shootouts this season. So of course, in a do-or-die situation, Bruce Cassidy decided to go with Marner,” noted a fan, highlighting the risk of relying on him in critical moments. Another voiced frustration at the Golden Knights’ choices: “Vegas’ shootout choices were hilarious. Mark Stone and Mitch Marner? Of course, they’re going to lose in a shootout with that lineup.”
Some comments reflected deeper skepticism about Marner’s value. “Mitch Marner, once again, overpaid and over-hyped a literal waste of $,” a fan posted, underlining the tension between expectation and execution in high-pressure situations.
READ MORE: Mitch Marner’s Vegas Golden Knights Production Falling Well Short of Thunderous Maple Leafs Pace
Despite this momentary setback, Marner has contributed significantly to Vegas’ offense. In 32 games, he has six goals and 26 assists for 32 points, maintaining a plus-10 rating. His December performance has been solid, with seven points in seven games, including a three-assist night against Columbus. His ability to generate chances and remain a reliable power-play option shows his ongoing importance to the team, even if shootout luck hasn’t favored him.
