Kevin Bieksa reveals hidden factor behind Mitch Marner’s dramatic playoff turnaround

Mitch Marner’s remarkable playoff form with the Vegas Golden Knights has sparked plenty of discussion, and former NHL defenceman Kevin Bieksa believes he knows the real reason behind the winger’s dramatic turnaround.

Marner delivered another standout moment in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Saturday night, scoring a stunning natural hat trick in the second period to help Vegas claim a 2-1 series lead. His explosive display added further weight to the growing belief that the forward has reached a completely new level in the postseason.

However, Bieksa believes the biggest factor behind Marner’s resurgence has less to do with the player himself and more to do with the opposition he has faced.

Speaking during the broadcast, the former Vancouver Canucks blue-liner suggested that the style of teams Vegas have encountered has allowed Marner to thrive far more freely than he did during his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

According to Bieksa, teams such as Utah, Anaheim, and Colorado have not relied heavily on aggressive, punishing hockey, meaning Marner has avoided the physical wear and tear that often disrupted him in previous playoff runs.

That stands in sharp contrast to the opponents Marner regularly faced in Toronto, where bruising battles against teams like the Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins often limited his influence in high-pressure moments.

During his Maple Leafs career, Marner endured significant playoff criticism, including an 18-game goal drought between 2019 and 2021 and repeated struggles in elimination matches. In Games 6 and 7, his production dipped sharply, with only two assists during a six-game losing stretch when Toronto’s season was on the line.

Bieksa’s argument suggests that the relentless physical nature of those matchups may have prevented Marner from consistently showcasing his creativity and offensive skill.

This year, however, the story has changed dramatically.

Marner’s Game 3 heroics not only pushed Vegas closer to the Stanley Cup but also earned him a place in the history books. His natural hat trick came in just six minutes and 10 seconds — the fastest ever recorded in a Stanley Cup Final.

In doing so, the Golden Knights star surpassed a long-standing mark previously held by legendary Montreal Canadiens icon Maurice “Rocket” Richard, whose record had stood for nearly seven decades.

For Marner, the performance represents another major step in rewriting the playoff narrative that followed him throughout his years in Toronto.