Maple Leafs coach takes blame for benching Gavin McKenna in OT loss
Jim Hiller admits he should have played Gavin McKenna earlier in the third period
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller admitted responsibility for benching rookie Gavin McKenna in the overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres. McKenna appeared for merely 6 minutes and 36 seconds, sitting out from the 10-minute mark of the second period until the end of both regulation and overtime. Hiller explained that penalties caused the time discrepancy, but also admitted he should have handled the situation better.
"That was my decision," Hiller told reporters post-game. "We had those penalties. Wanted to get him out there. He sat for so long and he sits through the intermission. Probably should've gotten him out at the start of the third. I’ll talk to him about that." Hiller recognized McKenna's lengthy absence from play, noting he had gone about 30 minutes without skating.
The coach ultimately decided against bringing McKenna back into the game after such an extended break. Toronto's 5-4 overtime defeat unfolded after they surrendered a two-goal lead, with Kirill Marchenko scoring a hat trick for Buffalo. John Tavares went down with an injury early in the third period, further complicating the Maple Leafs' late-game decisions.
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