Gavin McKenna netted the go-ahead goal in the third period, helping the Toronto Maple Leafs secure a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks at Scotiabank Arena on Monday, snapping a three-game skid. Auston Matthews added a goal and two assists, and Nick Paul also scored to give Toronto its fourth win of the campaign.
The top pick in the 2026 NHL Draft made the key play with a power-play marker, while Sergei Bobrovsky made 30 saves to earn his first home win as a Maple Leaf. San Jose, despite a solid outing from goaltender Yaroslav Askarov, suffered another loss.
Gavin McKenna provides the winning goal
McKenna gave Toronto a 2-1 lead at 4:56 of the third period with his first NHL power-play goal. Taking the puck near the bottom of the right face-off circle, he moved into the slot and beat Askarov with a wrist shot to the glove side.
The 2026 draft’s first overall selection was pleased with the outcome, crediting his teammates for creating the chance. McKenna noted the battles won during the shift and the open space he found before shooting.
“That’s a big night for the group,” McKenna said, calling the goal a team effort.
The game also marked the first encounter between McKenna and Ivar Stenberg, the second overall pick in the same draft. Stenberg recorded a minus-1 rating and one shot on goal in 14:27 of ice time.
Before the matchup, McKenna downplayed the individual battle, saying his focus was on Toronto’s play rather than a personal duel with Stenberg.
Auston Matthews and Sergei Bobrovsky pace Toronto
Matthews tied the game with just 12 seconds left in the second period. On a Toronto power play, Kirill Marchenko found him in the left circle, and Matthews fired a one-timer past Askarov over the blocker.
His goal shifted momentum into the final frame, setting up McKenna’s winner. Matthews ended the night with three points as Toronto moved to 4-4-2.
Bobrovsky was just as crucial at the other end, stopping 30 shots to help the Maple Leafs win. His effort drew praise from Matthews, who felt Toronto was strong in all facets.
Head coach Jim Hiller was happy with the team’s resilience, especially after several good chances were turned aside in the first 40 minutes.
“I thought we stuck with it,” Hiller said, adding that the team did a good job maintaining its attacking mindset.
Mason Marchment scores for the Sharks
San Jose struck first at 13:54 of the first period through Mason Marchment. Tyler Toffoli sent the puck toward the net from the left point, and Marchment controlled it with his glove near the top of the crease before lifting a backhand over Bobrovsky’s left pad.
Marchment credited Toffoli for keeping the puck in the offensive zone and getting it through traffic, which gave him the chance to finish with a quick move.
Despite the early lead, the Sharks couldn’t build on it. Askarov made 29 saves to keep San Jose in the game before Matthews equalized late in the second.
The loss dropped San Jose to 4-4-1 with just one win in its last five games. The team is 1-1-1 on its current six-game road trip and must regroup quickly before facing the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday in the second of a back-to-back.
Maple Leafs snap skid as Sharks search for answers
Toronto’s 3-1 win ended a three-game losing streak, with the team showing patience after struggling to finish chances earlier. McKenna’s power-play goal proved decisive before Paul sealed it with an empty-net goal at 19:20 of the third.
Paul raced down the right wing and scored from the top of the circle to cap the scoring, giving the Maple Leafs some cushion in the final seconds.
For San Jose, the result underscored ongoing consistency issues with and without the puck. Head coach Ryan Warsofsky acknowledged his team was creating chances but not getting the goals to convert them.
“I think we’re all right. We know we can feel it. We’re not scoring right now. We’re getting some good looks,” Warsofsky said.
Toronto will gain confidence from a win powered by Matthews’ three-point night, Bobrovsky’s saves, and McKenna’s key moment, while the Sharks aim to find their scoring touch in Montreal.