New-look Maple Leafs fall to Canadiens
Gavin McKenna has known for quite some time his NHL debut would come Tuesday night.
TORONTO - Newcomers Gavin McKenna and Kirill Marchenko suited up for the Toronto Maple Leafs in their NHL debut on Tuesday, falling to the Montreal Canadiens 3-2. McKenna, the 18-year-old Maple Leafs' first overall draft pick, and Marchenko, acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets, were among 10 players to take the ice for the first time.
McKenna expressed his excitement about the moment, while Marchenko, who only learned of his participation hours before the game, highlighted the whirlwind of events leading up to his debut.
For McKenna, a 15-minute 19-second stint saw a minus-2 rating with a solitary shot on goal. The head coach, Jim Hiller, noted McKenna's improvement from earlier in the game, while Marchenko displayed his offensive prowess with eight shot attempts and an assist on William Nylander's opening goal. Despite the loss, both players emphasized the significance of the experience.
Hiller acknowledged the challenge of cohesion with the roster's significant changes, but expressed optimism about the team's potential. The Maple Leafs will host the New York Islanders on Wednesday in their next game.
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