Golden Knights praise Marner after 3-point game helps oust Mammoth

Vegas Golden Knights center Colton Sissons praised Mitch Marner after the latter's three-point performance helped the team beat the Utah Mammoth in Game 6 and advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday.

"He was great. I think tonight, he was probably at his best," Sissons said of Marner after the 5-1 victory, according to Sportsnet's Emily Sadler. "We need Mitchy on the scoresheet as much as possible, so hopefully he can take some confidence into the next series."

Marner was held without a goal through the first five games of the series before exploding Friday night. With the Golden Knights holding a 1-0 lead late in the second period, Marner took a slap shot from the top of the circle that beat Mammoth goalie Karel Vejmelka to double the lead.

The goal was ultimately the game-winner. It was also Marner's first tally in 17 career playoff games in which his team was attempting to close out its opponent, according to Sportsnet Stats.

Marner later notched a power-play goal that gave Vegas a 4-1 lead with just under eight minutes remaining. The third-period goal concluded a three-point night for the 28-year-old that put Game 6 out of reach.

"Mitchy's been doing a lot of little things people don't understand - some small little plays," Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella said after the game. "But he had some big plays tonight that everybody can see. So, really good for him, for his confidence, going into the next series."

During Marner's nine-year run with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he played in Game 5, 6, or 7 of a playoff series 26 times in total. He scored just one goal over that spell.

He finished this series with two goals, five assists, and 15 shots on net.

Vegas will face the Anaheim Ducks in the second round, with Game 1 coming Tuesday.