Auston Matthews and Gavin McKenna get into a physical moment caught on camera at practice
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Auston Matthews and Gavin McKenna went hard in a physical puck battle at the end of the Leafs skate in Vegas, hours before facing the Golden Knights.
The Toronto Maple Leafs finished their skate in Las Vegas on Thursday with a little extra edge, and it came from the two players everyone in Toronto is watching right now.
TSN's Mark Masters reported that Auston Matthews and Gavin McKenna got into some puck battle work at the end of the session.
It wasn't a polite, easy finish to a game day skate either.
Both players went at it hard along the boards, with real physical contact and neither guy giving an inch.
Masters added that the vibes are good in Vegas.
Why this little battle matters
McKenna is 18, the first overall pick in June, and still learning the pace and size of the NHL.
Matthews is the captain and one of the best goal scorers on the planet.
Watching the veteran lean on the kid, and the kid lean right back, is exactly what coaches love to see.
Matthews has been in his corner too, and he expects McKenna to go on a bit of a tear now.
He set up McKenna's first NHL goal Tuesday in a 5-4 overtime win over Nashville, then scored the winner himself after Toronto erased a 3-0 deficit.
What to watch against the Golden Knights
Tonight is Toronto's first road game of the season, and the Leafs sit at 2-2-0.
Vegas is 3-1-0 and leads the Pacific.
Old friend Mitch Marner will be on the other side too.
McKenna is expected to slide to the third line with Nick Paul and Colton Sissons, while Matthews stays between Kirill Marchenko and Jack Roslovic.
Puck drop is at 10 p.m. ET.
If that skate was any sign, nobody on this roster is easing into the trip.
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