A star forward’s first playoff run with the Vegas Golden Knights ended in heartbreak as the team fell just short in the Stanley Cup Final, bowing out in six games against a determined opponent. The loss marked the end of a hard-fought campaign that saw the franchise push deep into the postseason for the first time in its history. Fans and analysts will now dissect how close the Golden Knights came—and what lessons they’ll carry into next season. For players like Mitch Marner, the experience of nearly hoisting the trophy in their debut year will leave a lasting mark.

Mitch Marner came so close to the Stanley Cup in his first season with the Vegas Golden Knights, losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games in the 2026 Stanley Cup ...