The Golden Knights will be without Mitch Marner on Thursday night in St. Louis, with the winger away from the team for the birth of his second child.
Vegas confirmed Marner’s absence ahead of puck drop against the Blues after the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Marner and his wife were expecting the newborn. Marner’s partner, Stephanie Marner, is awaiting the birth.
This is the second time a child has arrived for the Marner family during a significant hockey stretch. Their first child, Miles Daniel Marner, was born in May 2025 just before Game 1 of the round two Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Florida Panthers, when Marner was still with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Now in his second season with Vegas, the 29-year-old has produced two goals and 10 assists for 11 points through 11 regular-season games. He is coming off last season’s 81-game run, when he posted 24 goals, 56 assists and 80 points as the Golden Knights advanced to the Stanley Cup Final.
With Marner out, Alexander Holtz is expected to make his NHL season debut for Vegas. The 24-year-old from Stockholm, Sweden, appeared in 28 games for the Golden Knights last season and totaled three goals and six assists for nine points. He has started this season well in the AHL with the Henderson Silver Knights, putting up four goals and four assists for eight points in eight games.
The Golden Knights enter the night in first place in the Western Conference’s Pacific Division at 8-3-0. After the trip to face the Blues, they’ll visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday before heading back to T-Mobile Arena next week for games against the Ottawa Senators and New Jersey Devils.
In Other News...
Blues Are Already Getting Early Answers On A Tough Roster Debate
Ten games into the season, the Blues are already getting a clearer read on a roster question that was going to hang over them early. At 5-4-1, they have seen enough to start separating the players who are driving the team forward from the ones still fighting to hold their spots, and the performance gap has become hard to ignore. Dylan Holloway, Mason McTavish and Philip Broberg have given the club the kind of steady, energetic minutes that make lineup decisions easier, while the group around them continues to settle into the system.
The other side of that evaluation is just as important, because not everyone has kept pace as the roster has taken shape. Theo Lindstein and Dalibor Dvorsky have seen their roles shrink as the Blues look for more reliable answers, and the goaltending picture has added another layer to the debate. St. Louis is still early in the process of sorting out its best mix, but the first stretch of the season has already pushed some decisions closer to the surface. [Read more 🡒]
Philip Broberg Is Becoming The Blues Defenseman Theyve Been Missing
Philip Broberg has quickly gone from useful addition to essential piece for the Blues, giving their blue line a steadier, more modern look at a time when they needed it. His value has shown up in more than one area, too, with his play helping stabilize the defense while also adding something extra when the puck goes the other way.
Brobergs ability to fit beside different defensemen has made him even more valuable, because he has not needed a specific partner or a sheltered role to make an impact. The most interesting part is how his presence has changed the balance of the group, especially on special teams, where the Blues have been searching for a smoother blend of offense and responsibility from the back end. [Read more 🡒]
Blues Just Caught A Break In The Central Race
The Central Division picture may have gotten a little clearer for St. Louis after a major domino fell elsewhere, with Winnipeg moving Connor Hellebuyck to New Jersey as the Devils continue reshaping their roster under new general manager Sunny Mehta. Any time a division rival loses a goaltender of that caliber, the ripple effects are worth watching, especially for a Blues club that is trying to keep pace in a crowded race.
Beyond the immediate impact on the Jets, the move also changes the wider market in ways St. Louis will notice. New Jerseys search for help in net had been one of the more closely watched storylines, and with that avenue shifting, the Blues may see fewer outside forces chasing the kind of goaltending upgrade that can alter the trade landscape in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]