Maple Leafs analyst faces backlash over Mitch Marner take after Golden Knights’ loss
· Yahoo Sports
Former Toronto Maple Leafs winger and current NHL analyst Jay Rosehill drew criticism from fans Thursday night after commenting on Mitch Marner‘s performance following the Vegas Golden Knights‘ 4-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final.
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Shortly after the defeat, Rosehill posted on X, saying, “Anyone notice Marner tonight? Was it a game 5-7 or something?”
The remark immediately led to debate online, with many fans viewing it as an unfair reference to Marner’s playoff struggles during his years in Toronto.
One fan replied, “Cherry picking the hate, can’t help yourself, Rosie?”
Another responded, “Have you ever played a game 5 or 7 in the NHL? If you haven’t, you shouldn’t talk.”
A fan reacted, saying, “Bro had a natural hat trick in a Stanley Cup Finals game LOOOOL give it a rest man.”
The reaction came despite Marner’s dominant postseason run with Vegas. Although he was held off the scoresheet in Game 5, the winger still leads all players in playoff scoring with 29 points, including 10 goals and 19 assists.
MORE: Ex-Maple Leafs winger rips Mitch Marner for playing like a ‘mouse’ in Toronto
Marner also set a franchise record for the most points in a single postseason and produced the fastest hat trick in Stanley Cup Final history during Game 3.
One fan said, “Lol, Leafs fans back from under their rocks.”
A fan wrote, “You’re hating on someone who’s playing in the SCF while the team you cover didn’t even make the players. He also leads the league in playoffs points.”
One user responded directly saying, “I did, and since he left for Vegas, he’s been a true impact player and is playing the best he ever has in his career… Turns out being a Leaf was what held him back all these years!”
Golden Knights lacked so much more than one scoreless night from Mitch Marner
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) carries the puck against Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (4) during the second period in game five of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn ImagesCarolina earned control of the series through structure, discipline, and special teams execution. The Hurricanes scored twice on the power play, with Andrei Svechnikov netting both goals. Sebastian Aho added his first goal of the Final, while Brandon Bussi made 23 saves.
Vegas, meanwhile, lost momentum during a costly stretch of penalties and also saw center William Karlsson leave with a wrist injury. Head coach John Tortorella pointed to those turning points afterward.
“I thought we had a good start,” Tortorella said. “We lost momentum when we went back-to-back in penalties. It’s about the same time that we lost Bill.”
So, singling out Marner ignores the broader picture. Carolina’s aggressive checking limited Vegas’ transition game and disrupted its offensive rhythm. Marner did not generate his usual production, but the Golden Knights’ problems extended far beyond one player.
MORE: Mitch Marner sets Stanley Cup Final record with fastest hat trick in NHL history
With Carolina leading the series 3-2 and one win away from the Stanley Cup, Vegas must improve its discipline and depth scoring in Game 6. Marner remains the club’s offensive driver, and their chances of forcing Game 7 still run through him.
Meanwhile, Tortorella is confident about forcing a Game 7, saying, “We gotta find a way. I’m gonna leave my clothes here, that’s for sure. They’ll be in the hotel.”