Hiller says McKenna should have played in third period

Gavin McKenna logged 6:36 over nine shifts before Toronto held him out for the remainder of its game against Buffalo. Head coach Jim Hiller said the decision was his, explaining McKenna was skipped during penalty situations and that he probably should have used him in the third period. Buffalo came back to tie it 4-4 and won in overtime on Owen Power’s goal, while Kirill Marchenko recorded his first hat trick as a Maple Leaf.

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McKenna, the 2026 first-overall pick, was in his eighth NHL game. He had two goals and three assists this season, tied for second among rookies in points. His night ended after three second-period penalties: two hooking calls and an interference minor. Since he does not kill penalties or usually play 4-on-4 or 3-on-3, he stayed benched.

Toronto then scored twice in the second through Kirill Marchenko, completing his first hat trick with the club. Buffalo erased a