WATCH: Mitch Marner’s viral goal has fans buzzing and Leafs Nation groaning

Vegas Golden Knights winger scored the highlight-reel of the playoffs vs. the Ducks, much to chagrin of Toronto Maple Leafs fans.

Published May 15, 2026  •  Last updated 2 minutes ago  •  3 minute read

Vegas Golden Knights winger Mitch Marner celebrates after scoring on Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal during Game 6 of their second-round NHL playoff series. AP Photo

Mitch Marner came up aces on Thursday night with one of the most incredible NHL goals you’ll ever see.

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The Vegas Golden Knights winger helped propel his team to the Western Conference finals with his opener against the Anaheim Ducks with a move that has to be seen to be believed.

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Less than a minute into the game, Vegas forward William Karlsson won a battle for the puck in his own end, looked up and fired a pass down the ice to a streaking Marner, who was just before the Ducks’ blue line with a defender in tow.

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Marner fought off the defender to keep possession as he approached goaltender Lukas Dostal and then made a move to his backhand, which Dostal had covered.

Marner then faked a backhand shot as he hit the brakes and the goalie went down, then Marner pulled the puck back between his own legs and slid the puck into the empty side of the net.

“Karl made a great pass to me and then, from that moment on, just tried to make a move,” Marner told NHL.com. “Dostal had me covered I thought backhand, so I tried to do that move, and thankful it worked out.”

While Marner obviously was happy with the goal, fans on social media went absolutely wild for the incredible play.

“What an absolutely disgusting goal,” one user wrote on Reddit.

“That was wild … I’ve probably watched that goal like 50 times,” Mark Daniell commented.

“MITCH MARNER YOU ARE A BAAAAAD MAN,” Spitin’ Chiclets posted on X.

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“So filthy I had to change the TV to porn when my wife walked in,” another user wrote.

So, how are Leafs fans reacting?

Of course, the jokes also came in – mostly at the expense of the Leafs and their fans.

“Funniest part is Toronto fans will still somehow blame Marner for this,” one user wrote on X.

“Mitch Marner might win a Stanley Cup Championship his first year out of Toronto,” another wrote, adding laughing and crying emojis.

“Marner winning the Conn Smythe in his first year on Vegas would be the most Leafs outcome possible,” one Reddit user wrote.

“Man, am I glad he’s in the West now,” a Montreal Canadiens fan commented.

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There was some obvious bitterness as well, with many Leafs fans wondering where this sort of performance was during Marner’s nine years in Toronto.

“Mitch couldn’t do this once in 9 seasons with the team that gave him all the money he ever needed,” one user posted on X.

“If only he just did this once in 9 years just maybe,” another commented.

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How has good has Marner been in the playoffs?

The Golden Knights won the game 5-1 with Marner also adding an assist on Brett Howden’s short-handed goal.

Marner has been spectacular so far in the NHL playoffs. Through Thursday’s games, Marner leads the NHL in playoff scoring with 18 points in 12 games – and he has primarily been doing it in a second-line role with Vegas.

He’s tied for third in goals with seven and is tied for second in assists with 11 – and he only trails teammates in each of those categories.

While the Golden Knights’ road through the playoffs hasn’t been the most difficult so far, things are about to get interesting. Vegas will take on the Colorado Avalanche in the West final, a team that features Marner’s Olympic teammates Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.

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