What Happened
Gavin McKenna broke through with the first multi-point game of his NHL career Tuesday night, scoring his first goal and adding his first assist as the Toronto Maple Leafs came back to beat the Nashville Predators at Scotiabank Arena. The 2026 first-overall pick had gone pointless in his first three NHL games. Nashville led 3-0 through the first 23 minutes before McKenna set up a John Tavares goal about five minutes into the second period.
Key Details
- McKenna's first NHL point came on an assist on a John Tavares goal in the second period.
- Nashville held a 3-0 lead through the first 23 minutes of the game.
- McKenna entered the game with zero points in three NHL appearances.
- The game was the last of Toronto's homestand.
- McKenna was selected first overall in the 2026 NHL Draft.
What It Means
The performance ends a brief early-season scoring drought for McKenna, who faced scrutiny in the Toronto market after going pointless in his first three games. His first career points came in a game Toronto trailed by three goals, giving the rookie a central role in a comeback win rather than a low-stakes debut.