Gavin McKenna calls out the Toronto media, then answers with first NHL goal
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Gavin McKenna answered his scoreless start with a goal and an assist in the Maple Leafs' overtime win over Nashville, a night he won't forget.
Gavin McKenna didn't have to wait long to flip the script.
Hours after talking about how Toronto treats a first overall pick without a point, the Maple Leafs rookie delivered a goal and an assist in a 5-4 overtime win over the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night.
Before the game, the 18-year-old admitted the toughest part of the NHL is simply how hard it is.
He still believed in himself, but he knew three games without a point in this market weren't going unnoticed.
“I think just how hard it is. You come in, you believe in yourself, and I still believe in myself.
But especially in the Toronto media, putting up zero points in three games, I think you hear about it.”
- Gavin McKenna
But especially in the Toronto media, putting up zero points in three games, I think you hear about it.”
- Gavin McKenna
First point, then first goal
McKenna picked up his first NHL point with an assist on a John Tavares goal in the second period.
A little later, Predators forward Steven Stamkos pushed Nashville's lead to 4-2, and McKenna answered 61 seconds later.
He took a pass from Auston Matthews and ripped a high shot past Juuse Saros, then dropped to one knee as his teammates mobbed him.
Head coach Jim Hiller called it a goal scorer's goal from a player who is a playmaker by trade.
William Nylander added a goal and two assists in the win.
A milestone and a comeback
McKenna said the goose egg felt a lot longer than three games, and he called the goal one he will remember forever.
He was 18 years and 290 days old when he got his first point, which makes him the youngest Leaf to do it since Drake Berehowsky.
Matthews capped the night with the overtime winner with 14 seconds left, finishing a rally from a 3-0 deficit.
McKenna ended with four shots and a plus-1 rating in about 14 minutes and 45 seconds of ice time.
One night doesn't define a career, but it took a lot of weight off a rookie who had been hearing about it all week.
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