ANAHEIM, Calif. — Mitch Marner recorded his first career playoff hat trick, and the Vegas Golden Knights’ new second line combined for seven points in a 6-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks in Game 3 of their second-round series Friday night at Honda Center.
Marner, playing on a line with William Karlsson and Brett Howden, finished with four points. Howden added two points, and Karlsson contributed an assist as the line clicked immediately despite Karlsson returning from a nearly six-month absence due to a lower-body injury.
“When we get started cycling there, I think we’re doing a good job supporting each other,” Karlsson said. “We always have someone available and kind of know where everyone is at all times. It’s just been clicking so far, but we got to keep going.”
The Knights jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first period, with Shea Theodore scoring 1:06 into the game, Brayden McNabb adding a shorthanded goal at 12:13, and Marner capping the period with a power-play goal with four seconds left. The fast start proved insurmountable for the Ducks, who fell behind on the scoreboard for the first time in the series despite again dominating the shot counter.
Marner and Howden now share the league lead with six playoff goals each. Marner has 13 points in the postseason, with nine coming in the last four games.
“I think they had the puck,” coach John Tortorella said. “I think they read pretty well off one another. Bill’s a pretty big piece for us right now, coming into the second round, where I could use him all over the place as I did tonight.”
The line posted even shot attempts (7-7) and shots on goal (4-4) while on the ice for a team-high 10:07. Karlovsky moved Marner to his natural right wing, creating a unit that thrived on speed and hockey IQ.
“I knew a little bit about Will throughout coming here. I think I didn’t know as much as people were telling me about him,” Marner said. “It’s been really easy to play with him. He makes a lot of great plays.”
Game 4 is set for Sunday as the Knights look to take a commanding series lead.
