Gavin McKenna Scores First NHL Goal, Silences Doubters Instantly

Gavin McKenna had gone three NHL games without a single point. Then, in one second period, he had two — including the goal that pulled Toronto back into a game it eventually won.

The 18-year-old rookie and No. 1 overall pick scored his first career NHL goal and added his first career assist Tuesday night as the Maple Leafs erased a deficit and beat the Nashville Predators 5-4 in a comeback that needed overtime.

McKenna's first point came on an assist on John Tavares' second-period goal, cutting the Leafs' deficit to two. Scotiabank Arena gave him a standing ovation. Minutes later, he rifled a shot over the shoulder of Predators goaltender Juuse Saros, with an assist from former first-overall pick Auston Matthews, to pull Toronto within a goal.