(Photo Credit: NHL.com)

Golden Knights fans have been blessed to watch the very best of Mitch Marner this postseason. In his first playoff run with Vegas, VGK’s most dynamic winger leads the NHL in postseason points (18) and plus/minus (+11). He’s also second in assists (11) and is in the top five in goals (7) through 12 playoff games. Marner currently sits third for Conn Smythe odds at William Hill. It’s been the complete opposite from the postseason failure tag that came with him from Toronto.

Currently, Marner is riding a career high in playoff points and has at least one more round to add to his total. Previously, the 29-year-old’s peak was 14 points in 2022-23. Going into the conference finals, Marner has seven goals and is averaging 0.58 per playoff game. VGK’s magician has one fewer goal than his previous four postseasons combined.

YearGamesGoalsAssists+/-ShotsFaceoffs Won

2025-2612711112923

2024-2513211-1164

2023-247121122

2022-23113117330

2021-227203210

2020-217041191

2019-20504-1150

2018-19722-4191

2017-187272172

2016-17613190

If the Golden Knights go on to defeat Colorado and advance to the Stanley Cup Final, Marner would be on pace for nearly 30 points in the postseason. The last four Conn Smythe winners have averaged 29.5 points per postseason run. With seven goals so far, Marner is closing in on the average number of goals scored by the past four Conn Smythe winners as well.

Last year, Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett was awarded the Conn Smythe trophy. Through two rounds he recorded six goals, one fewer than Marner before Game 1 of the Conference Final. Bennett concluded the postseason with an astounding 15 goals scored. The same pattern occurred when former VGK winger Jonathan Marchessault was named the 2023 Conn Smythe winner. Marchessault took his time scoring goals, as he was two behind Marner’s current pace after two rounds. The Original Misfit ended the postseason with 13 goals scored.

Even still, there are doubters up North.

One thing you’ve got to acknowledge and it’s not putting down anything. They played Utah and Anaheim. Utah is incredibly raw. They are high-flyers saying, ‘let’s go point night and win 6-5.’ They have no playoff experience, and this Anaheim team has none. It doesn’t mean he’s not doing it, it’s that it’s not Florida, it’s not Boston and it’s not Tampa. – Bryan Hayes on TSN Overdrive

Of course, Marner’s production will continue to be scrutinized during the Western Conference Final. But so far, Marner hasn’t just been Vegas’ best player, he’s been the best player in the NHL this postseason.