McKenna Scores First NHL Goal as Maple Leafs Storm Back, Matthews Wins It in Overtime

TORONTO — Gavin McKenna’s first NHL goal came on a night the Toronto Maple Leafs needed a spark.

By the time it was over, the 18-year-old rookie had his first two NHL points, Toronto had erased a three-goal deficit, and Auston Matthews had sent Scotiabank Arena home happy with a dramatic overtime winner.

The Maple Leafs rallied from an early 3-0 hole Tuesday night to defeat the Nashville Predators 5-4 in overtime, with Matthews scoring the winner with just 14 seconds remaining in the extra period. (The Washington Post)

It was the type of game that could have gotten away from Toronto quickly.

Steven Stamkos opened the scoring on the power play at 7:13 of the first period before Nils Höglander doubled Nashville’s advantage less than two minutes later. Höglander struck again early in the second period, suddenly leaving the Maple Leafs staring at a 3-0 deficit on home ice. (The Washington Post)

Then Toronto finally found some life.

John Tavares got the Maple Leafs on the board at 4:56 of the second, with McKenna picking up an assist for the first point of his NHL career. William Nylander followed with a power-play goal just over two minutes later, cutting Nashville’s lead to 3-2 and putting Toronto right back in the game. (Reuters)

Stamkos temporarily slowed the comeback by scoring his second of the night to make it 4-2.

McKenna answered 61 seconds later.

Matthews won a battle along the boards and moved the puck to McKenna, who took the pass and ripped a wrist shot into the top corner past Juuse Saros. McKenna immediately dropped to one knee in celebration as the Toronto crowd erupted around him. (NHL)

After three NHL games without a point, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft suddenly had a goal and an assist in the same period.

And his first goal could hardly have come at a better time.

Rather than allowing Nashville to rebuild its momentum after Stamkos made it 4-2, McKenna’s goal immediately brought Toronto back within one. It was the first real glimpse of the offensive ability that made him one of hockey’s most anticipated prospects and ultimately the first player selected in June’s draft.

The Maple Leafs completed the comeback in the third.

Jack Roslovic tied the game 4-4 at 8:54, beating Saros from the right circle. Toronto briefly appeared to take its first lead a few minutes later when Nylander found the back of the net, but Nashville successfully challenged the play for offside and the goal was overturned. (Reuters)

That sent the game to overtime, where Toronto’s captain took care of the rest.

With the clock winding down, Saros stopped Nylander’s initial opportunity with his skate, but the rebound kicked directly toward Matthews at the bottom of the right circle. Matthews wasted little time, snapping the puck inside the near post with 14 seconds remaining to complete the 5-4 comeback. (Reuters)

Matthews finished the night with a goal and three assists, factoring into four of Toronto’s five goals. His overtime winner was also the 430th goal of his NHL career, moving him past Bill Guerin for ninth-most among American-born players. (Reuters)

Nylander added a goal and two assists, while McKenna finished with his first career multi-point performance.

For McKenna, the night represented another step in what Toronto hopes will become a cornerstone career.

The expectations surrounding the first overall pick were immediate, and going scoreless through his first three games naturally brought additional attention in a market where almost every shift is examined. McKenna even joked before Tuesday’s game about hearing the noise that came with having zero points through his first three appearances. (NHL)

It didn’t take much longer for him to answer it.

His first NHL point helped begin Toronto’s comeback. His first NHL goal kept it alive. And Matthews, the established superstar now playing alongside Toronto’s newest young talent, finished the job.

For a Maple Leafs team trying to turn the page after missing the playoffs last season, Tuesday offered an early look at what Toronto hopes can become a familiar combination — McKenna providing the next wave of offense while Matthews remains the player capable of deciding a game when it matters most.

On Tuesday night, both delivered.