Gavin McKenna scores first NHL goal for Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs rookie Gavin McKenna scored his first NHL goal Tuesday against the Nashville Predators, converting a pass from Auston Matthews in the second period of his fourth professional game. The 18-year-old also recorded his first NHL point with an assist on Toronto’s opening goal, according to most of the game accounts reviewed. Those accounts identify William Nylander as the scorer; another account names John Tavares, and the supplied material does not resolve the discrepancy. McKenna’s goal came at Scotiabank Arena against Nashville goaltender Juuse Saros. He took Matthews’ pass and scored in the second period. The sources do not provide a final score, so the result of the game is not established here. The first goal ended a three-game stretch to open McKenna’s NHL career without a point. He entered Tuesday averaging 14 minutes and 32 seconds of ice time, with three shots on target and a minus-three rating through those games. His assist on Toronto’s opener gave him his first NHL point before he scored later in the contest. McKenna was selected first overall by Toronto in the 2026 NHL draft.