Gavin McKenna Takes Friendly Jab at Family Following Big Night

Gavin McKenna‘s wait for his first NHL point lasted three games. On Tuesday night, he got two points in one game, and he had a joke ready about who wasn’t there to see it. Willy and Krystal McKenna were not at Scotiabank Arena when Gavin scored his first NHL goal. NHL.com wrote, “After watching him go pointless in his first three games as a Toronto Maple Leaf, they returned home to Whitehorse, Yukon, about 2,500 miles northwest of Toronto, where they watched the dramatic 5-4 overtime victory against the Nashville Predators on TV.”

---

McKenna was asked afterward about his family missing the milestone. They had gone home before the game, and he said so with a grin. “They might have to stay home,” he joked, a nod to the fact that he had come up empty while they were watching in person. The moment they left, he had a breakout game.

“They’re super proud,” said McKenna after laughing at his own joke. “Obviously you want them to be here. But for them to be watching at home, well, I’m sure it was a special moment for them at home. I wouldn’t be here without them. They mean the world to me. I love them.”

McKenna recorded his first career point with a primary assist on a John Tavares goal against the Nashville Predators. With under five minutes left in the second period, he scored his first NHL goal, sending Scotiabank Arena into a frenzy. “It’s a big monkey off the back,” he said afterward. “That one felt good. Yeah, that’s a goal I’ll remember forever.”

McKenna’s Teammates React To His First NHL Goal

It was a near-perfect night for the young winger. William Nylander said the moment is one he’ll never forget. “It’s a beautiful shot on a great goalie, too,” he said. “It was a bullet, top shelf.”

Auston Matthews said McKenna is settling in. “He’s really comfortable in the room with everybody, top to bottom, and it was great to see him get that moment and enjoy it,” Matthews said. “I think you’re going to see him go on a tear because he has so much confidence and such a nice skill set.” He added: “This is a great moment for that young man and his family.”

McKenna said he’s leaning on his veteran teammates. He lives with Tavares and had a sleepover at Matthews’ house on Sunday. “Me and Auston had a little sleepover on Sunday, so we might have to do that and have a weekly sleepover now,” he joked. “Just hung out, had a couple sandwiches, watched some football and went to bed.”

Of Tavares, he said: “To have him assist me with my first goal is pretty special. I’ve learned so much from those two.”

Next: Jim Hiller’s Biggest Message Is to Just Slow Down