Golden Knights forward Mitch Marner returned to practice Monday after missing the team's two-game road trip for the birth of his second son, Bennett, who arrived Thursday. Marner and his wife, Stephanie, welcomed the baby, a brother to 15-month-old Miles, and Marner said Monday that both mother and child are doing well and are back home.
Marner stayed in Las Vegas while the Knights lost in St. Louis and Columbus, extending the team's losing streak to three games. He admitted he kept tabs on the first game from the hospital. "We had it on mute. We were playing music instead, but I don't think my wife was too thrilled I was watching the game," Marner said, laughing.
It was only the second and third games Marner has missed since joining the Knights last season. He said stepping away was the right decision. "What our wives go through with the birth of a kid, it's not easy," Marner said. "I just wanted to be there for her and Bennett and make sure everyone's OK."
The Knights struggled in Marner's absence, allowing three unanswered third-period goals in a 6-2 loss to the Blues before falling 2-1 in overtime to the last-place Blue Jackets. Marner, who carries a seven-game point streak, is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday when the Knights host the Ottawa Senators to open a two-game homestand.
Marner has 41 points in 40 career games against Ottawa and said the team needs to be prepared. "Ottawa's been playing some really good hockey," Marner said. "We've got to be sure we're ready to go."
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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