Gavin McKenna’s first NHL points arrived in a hurry Tuesday night at Scotiabank Arena, with the Toronto Maple Leafs rookie posting a goal and an assist in the second period against the Nashville Predators.
The first overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft had been held off the scoresheet through three games. In his fourth outing, McKenna helped Toronto erase part of a Nashville lead and gave the home crowd its first look at his finishing touch.
Quick facts
- Gavin McKenna recorded his first NHL goal and assist in his fourth game.
- His first point came on John Tavares’ second-period goal.
- Auston Matthews set up McKenna’s first NHL goal.
- McKenna’s goal pulled Toronto within 4-3 of Nashville.
- Teammates saved the puck from Tavares’ goal for the rookie.
About five minutes into the middle frame, McKenna moved the puck to Tavares, who carried it from the Toronto end into Predators territory before snapping a wrist shot to put the Maple Leafs on the board. The assist was McKenna’s first point in the league, and Toronto made sure the milestone puck was collected.
Roughly 10 minutes later, the rookie had his first goal. Matthews fed McKenna, who beat the Nashville goaltender high to make it a one-goal game at 4-3.
McKenna dropped low and pumped an arm after the shot found the net, then joined his teammates in the celebration.
Before puck drop, McKenna had taken the early attention around his scoreless start in stride. “When you’re in the Toronto media and have zero points through three games, you hear about it,” he said with a smile. “Maybe that’s my welcome-to-the-NHL moment.”
