Golden Knights Top Mammoth 5-1, Advance in NHL Playoffs

The Vegas Golden Knights advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 5-1 victory over the Utah Mammoth in Game 6 on Friday night in Salt Lake City, closing out the series after three consecutive wins.

Mitch Marner scored twice in the clincher, his first goal a slap shot past Utah goalie Karel Vejmelka at 19:15 of the second period and his second on a power play that extended Vegas's lead to 4-1. Cole Smith added an empty-net goal at 16:24 of the third period. Marner's line with Brett Howden and captain Mark Stone dominated shifts, contributing to his series total of two goals and five assists, including three points in Game 6.

The Golden Knights rallied from third-period deficits in their first three victories, including overtime wins in Games 4 and 5. Howden tallied four goals in the series, two shorthanded, one in overtime of Game 5. Vegas limited Utah to one power-play goal on 16 chances, crediting assistant coach Johnny Stevens's plan, shot-blocking and goaltender Carter Hart's key saves.

The series win capped a remarkable turnaround for Vegas. Weeks before the playoffs, the team fired coach Bruce Cassidy and hired John Tortorella, who guided a 7-0-1...