Auston Matthews, Gavin McKenna score on power play as Maple Leafs end slump

Toronto's Gavin McKenna scored the decisive goal on a third-period power play, propelling the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 3-1 triumph over the San Jose Sharks. Auston Matthews contributed with a goal and two assists for Toronto, who now stand at 4-4-2. Sergei Bobrovsky secured the win for the Maple Leafs with 30 saves, marking his first victory at home for the team.

Nick Paul added an empty-net goal late in regulation. Mason Marchment scored for the Sharks (4-4-1), who conceded 28 stops from Yaroslav Askarov. The Toronto Maple Leafs entered the game on a three-game losing streak, 1-2-2 over their last five contests. This was the initial matchup between the top two selections at the 2026 NHL draft – McKenna and Sharks winger Ivar Stenberg.

Mason Marchment put San Jose ahead at 13:54 of the first period after Matthews turned the puck away in the defensive zone. Auston Matthews equalized just 12 seconds into the second period with a power-play goal. McKenna extended Toronto's lead in the third period, securing the win for the Maple Leafs. William Nylander, Toronto's star winger, missed the morning skate due to illness but was able to play.

For the Sharks, Mason Marchment had previously played for Toronto from 2016 to 2020, appearing in four games before being traded to the Florida Panthers. Askarov had been troubling Toronto's offense until San Jose was penalized for too many players on the ice late in the second period, which allowed Matthews to bring Toronto level.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have the NHL's top-ranked penalty kill at 96.4 per cent (27 for 28) and successfully killed off all four San Jose man-advantage opportunities in the game. The Maple Leafs will face the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday, while the Sharks will travel to face the Montreal Canadiens on the same day.