Published on: January 23, 2026, 09:22h.

Updated on: January 23, 2026, 09:22h.

• Vegas Knights visit Toronto to face the Leafs as betting favorites
• Mitch Marner makes his Toronto return after joining the Golden Knights as a free agent last summer
• Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup odds improve following Rasmus Andersson trade on Sunday

Mitch Marner, now with the Vegas Golden Knights, is heading back to Toronto tonight, his birthplace, to compete against the Maple Leafs, the team that nurtured his career. However, he won’t receive a warm reception. Expect a chilly atmosphere that matches the frigid weather outside.

Marner departed the Leafs as a free agent this past summer after being drafted fourth overall in 2015. What began as a promising journey with the organization soured through a series of playoff disappointments, reminiscent of a sour candy experience.

The moment NHL free agency opened in July, Marner swiftly left Toronto for Las Vegas, securing an 8-year, $96 million deal.

Las Vegas Betting: Golden Knights’ Cup Odds Improve

In his time with the Maple Leafs, Marner accumulated 741 points in 657 games, suggesting he was poised to cement his legacy within the franchise. However, multiple playoff failures derailed that potential, as detailed in a noteworthy journalistic piece about Marner’s struggles in Toronto.

Marner has been a solid addition for the Golden Knights, although not quite at his previous peak performance level. Recently, he has been stepping up his game, currently contributing 12 goals and 39 assists, along with 93 shots on goal in 49 games. Last season, he recorded 102 points with the Leafs.

During his previous encounter with the Leafs at T-Mobile Arena, Marner faced some jeers from fans; this time, he can expect the noise level to rise significantly in a packed arena, reflecting the emotional intensity surrounding his return.

Betting Insights for Tonight’s Match

DraftKings lists the Golden Knights as slight favorites at -120, while the home team sits at +100. The puck line is Golden Knights -1.5 (+195), Leafs +1.5 (-238), with the Over 6.5 (+110) and Under 6.5 (-130). Similarly, BetMGM reflects the same odds.

Tonight’s matchup is highly significant, with the Golden Knights currently leading the Pacific Division at 24-13-12 and 60 points. They are coming off two losses, including a narrow 4-3 defeat against the Bruins last night. Las Vegas holds a two-point lead over the Edmonton Oilers in the standings with two games in hand. In the Western Conference, they sit fourth, trailing the Dallas Stars in third place by five points.

In other news, the Golden Knights recently executed another high-profile trade. Whenever a star player is available, Las Vegas seems to be in the mix. They acquired the standout defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames, sending Zach Whitecloud, a couple of draft picks, and a prospect in return. Reports suggest that Andersson favored a move to Las Vegas. He’s currently traveling with the team, and his debut could be imminent—perhaps even tonight.

Andersson Trade: A Strategic Lineup Enhancement

Oddsmakers are certainly taking note. According to Caesars Sportsbook, the Golden Knights hold the second-shortest Stanley Cup odds at +700, just behind the Colorado Avalanche at +400.

“Heading into this season, the defense was arguably the most vulnerable part of our roster,” stated Karry Shreeve, Head of Hockey at Caesars Sportsbook. “Losing Nicolas Hague and suffering an unexpected season-ending injury to Alex Pietrangelo really challenged our defensive depth, which has been evident throughout the season. Adding Andersson to an increasingly healthy defensive lineup enhances our chances of breaking free in an extremely competitive Pacific Division.”

Once he acclimates to the roster, Andersson is expected to partner with former Flames teammate Noah Hanifin. A defense-first player known for his shot-blocking skills, Andersson ranked fourth in the NHL last season with 196 blocked shots, though he stands lower this season with 90 thus far.

“As the Golden Knights appear to be finding their footing and based on some analytics I personally trust, Andersson’s addition prompted a shift in our Stanley Cup odds from 10/1 to 7/1,” Shreeve noted. “Andersson led the Flames in Time On Ice, a metric that speaks volumes about his impact. Regardless of Pietrangelo’s contributions, he consumed substantial minutes, allowing less experienced defensemen to perform their roles without overextending. With the acquisition of a player who logs 24 minutes, our depth significantly improves, enabling guys like Lauzon and Korczak to simply play their game.”

“Game by game, even a top defenseman usually has a minimal effect on betting odds, but over time, his influence will be factored into the line. The key takeaway for us was to improve their overall odds for the Stanley Cup and the Western Conference.”