Gavin McKenna netted the game-winning goal during a power play in the third period, propelling the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 3-1 triumph over the San Jose Sharks and breaking their three-game losing streak on Monday.
Auston Matthews notched a goal and two assists for Toronto, while Sergei Bobrovsky secured his first home victory as the Maple Leafs’ goaltender with 30 saves. Nick Paul sealed the win with an empty-net goal late in the game.
San Jose’s Mason Marchment responded with a goal, and Yaroslav Askarov made 28 saves for the Sharks.
McKenna retrieved the puck from a crowd and beat Askarov at 4:56 into the final period, breaking the 1-1 tie and celebrating on one knee.
Toronto, previously struggling at 0-2-1 in their last three games and 1-2-2 in the last five, turned their fortunes around with this victory.
The highlight of the game was the clash between the top two picks of the 2026 NHL draft – McKenna and Sharks’ winger Ivar Stenberg.
Marchment opened the scoring in the first period, taking advantage of a defensive error by Matthews. However, Matthews redeemed himself by equalizing on a power play with just 12 seconds remaining in the second period. The momentum shifted in the third period when McKenna put Toronto in the lead.
Star player William Nylander overcame illness to play in the game after being a game-time decision.
Next, the Maple Leafs will face off against the Columbus Blue Jackets, marking the first game since a significant trade involving Kirill Marchenko, Emil Andrae, Elvis Merzlikins, and Miles Wood was agreed upon by both teams.
