Gavin McKenna scored his first NHL goal tonight in the Maple Leafs' 5-4 overtime win over Nashville, and he has a theory about the good luck.
"Me and Auston had a little sleepover on Sunday, so we might have to do that and have a weekly sleepover now," McKenna said.
The details were wonderfully ordinary. "Just hung out, had a couple sandwiches, watched some football and went to bed."
The goal came with a fitting assist. The 18-year-old lives with John Tavares, and Tavares helped set up the milestone.
"To have him assist me with my first goal is pretty special," McKenna said. "I've learned so much from those two. They've been very special to me."
Gavin McKenna says he had a sleepover at Auston Matthews' house on Sunday, eating sandwiches and watching football, and perhaps he needs to continue the good luck from tonight
“Me and Auston had a little sleepover on Sunday, so we might have to do that and have a weekly sleepover now… It was a good time. Just hung out, had a couple sandwiches, watched some football and went to bed
And living at John's, I've learned a lot from him. To have him assist me with my first goal is pretty special
But I've learned so much from those two. They've been very special to me, and they've helped me a lot. You can learn from those guys. I'm pretty lucky”
Via @Sportsnet
#leafs- Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) October 7, 2026
He finished the night with a goal and an assist, his first two NHL points after a quiet start.
Auston Matthews and John Tavares give Toronto's rookie a soft landing
The veterans have been all in on this kid. Days ago, Tavares called him "very humble and very respectful," and William Nylander promised his production would "come in waves."
Matthews, at $13,250,000, has five points in four games, including a game-winner. Tavares, 36, has three points.
This is how a veteran group should handle a first overall pick. After the rookie-lap and jersey-number drama earlier in the week, the Leafs' leaders just showed what real support looks like.
It's like the new kid at school getting adopted by the seniors' lunch table on day one.
McKenna carries a $1,075,000 cap hit and wears No. 92. The Leafs are now 2-2-0 and visit Vegas on Thursday.
The first one is always the hardest. If weekly sleepovers keep the goals coming, Matthews might need to stock up on sandwiches.
Should Gavin McKenna make the Matthews sleepover a weekly tradition?
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