Gavin McKenna gave Toronto the separating goal Monday night, settling a tight game against San Jose with the first game-winner of his NHL career in a 3-1 Maple Leafs victory at Scotiabank Arena.
The matchup also marked the first NHL meeting between McKenna, Toronto’s No. 1 selection in the 2026 NHL Draft, and Sharks forward Ivar Stenberg, chosen second overall by San Jose. McKenna, 18, handled the larger moment.
McKenna finds room on the power play
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With the score tied 1-1 early in the third period, Auston Matthews collected a rebound behind the San Jose net and fed McKenna with a short pass.
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McKenna took the puck on his backhand, turned toward the slot and resisted the first shooting lane. William Nylander drove toward the near post, giving Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov another option to track.
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At 4:56, McKenna took an extra stride and sent the puck to the far side beneath Askarov’s glove for a 2-1 Toronto lead.
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The Maple Leafs protected that advantage for a 3-1 final, with McKenna’s power-play strike standing as the winner.
“I’m pretty fired up,” McKenna said. “Scoring is difficult in this league, so it feels great when one goes in.”
His patience with the puck was the telling detail. Rather than force a quick attempt, McKenna recognized the available time, allowed the traffic to develop and made Askarov defend a second threat before picking his spot.
Matthews said McKenna has not backed away when the game asks for something important. “Give him some space and time, and he can create something,” the Toronto captain said. “He has been skating really well over the last few games. What happened a few nights ago did not affect him. He just keeps working.”
A quick response after Buffalo
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In Toronto’s 5-4 overtime loss to Buffalo on Thursday, McKenna played 6:36 and did not get another shift after 10:20 of the second period.
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Before Saturday’s 4-1 loss to the New York Islanders, McKenna said coach Jim Hiller had spoken with him and made clear that the reduced role was not a reflection of his play.
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McKenna then logged a season-high 17:56 against the Islanders, third-most among Toronto forwards, and put four shots on goal.
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Two nights later, he delivered Toronto’s deciding goal against the Sharks.
McKenna said he appreciated the conversation with Hiller and trusts his coach. He also said his approach has been to stay in the present rather than dwell on a difficult night or get ahead of the schedule.
“After a game like Buffalo, you want to answer back,” McKenna said. “Our group has improved, and this was a big step. We have another game tomorrow in Columbus, so we need to be ready to play the same way.”
A growing taste for the key shift
Monday was not McKenna’s first timely contribution. On Oct. 6 against Nashville, he scored his first NHL goal at 14:31 of the second period, drawing Toronto within one goal in a game the Maple Leafs eventually won 5-4 in overtime.
McKenna said playing alongside Matthews, Nylander and Toronto’s other established players has helped build his confidence. He wants to become a player teammates can count on when a game tightens up.
Hiller sees that comfort in the spotlight every night. “He welcomes those situations,” Hiller said. “Not every player wants to be the one in that moment, but he has that quality in abundance. He has carried the top-prospect label for years and seems completely at ease with it.”
The Maple Leafs now turn quickly to a road date with the Columbus Blue Jackets, and McKenna heads there with another early marker in his rookie season: a first career winner, earned with poise on a third-period power play.
