Maple Leafs fall 5-4 to Kraken despite Gavin McKenna’s three-point night
Gavin McKenna scored twice and added an assist for his first three-point NHL game, but the Toronto Maple Leafs fell 5-4 to the Seattle Kraken. Brandon Montour scored the winner with 34 seconds remaining, handing Toronto its second straight loss.
The Toronto Maple Leafs suffered another late defeat Wednesday night, falling 5-4 to the Seattle Kraken after Brandon Montour scored with just 34 seconds remaining in regulation.
Gavin McKenna delivered his strongest offensive performance of the season, recording his first two-goal NHL game and adding an assist for three points. The 2026 first overall draft pick helped Toronto erase a two-goal deficit in the third period, but the Maple Leafs were unable to secure a point.
The loss dropped Toronto to 7-6-2, marking its second consecutive defeat after a four-game winning streak. Seattle improved to 8-4-1 behind goals from five different players.
Gavin McKenna records first two-goal NHL game
McKenna was Toronto’s most productive player, scoring on the power play in each of the first two periods.
The 18-year-old forward continued his promising start to his rookie campaign, bringing his season total to five goals through 15 games.
His biggest contribution came in the closing minutes, when Toronto pulled goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky for an extra attacker while trailing 4-3.
McKenna helped set up Auston Matthews’ tying goal with 1:30 remaining, completing his first three-point NHL performance and giving the Maple Leafs an opportunity to force overtime.
Matthews’ goal was his 10th of the season, adding to a productive stretch that recently saw the Toronto captain become the fastest player in franchise history to reach 800 career points.
The late equalizer appeared to shift momentum toward the visitors, but Seattle responded before regulation ended.
With 34 seconds remaining, Montour fired a slap shot from the top of the right face-off circle past Bobrovsky, restoring the Kraken’s lead and securing the 5-4 victory.
For McKenna, the performance represented an important individual milestone, although it came without a team victory.
Seattle Kraken capitalize on Toronto’s defensive struggles
Seattle received contributions throughout its lineup, with Chandler Stephenson, Ryker Evans, Berkly Catton, Josh Mahura and Montour each scoring.
Stephenson finished with a goal and an assist, playing a key role in helping the Kraken establish their advantage during the middle period.
He put Seattle ahead 3-2 on the power play at 3:33 of the second period before assisting on Evans’ goal later in the frame.
The Kraken carried a 4-2 lead into the third period, putting Toronto in a position where it needed another comeback to avoid defeat.
Jack Roslovic began the Maple Leafs’ response at 8:02 of the final period, cutting Seattle’s advantage to 4-3.
Toronto continued pushing for the equalizer before Matthews converted with the extra attacker on the ice.
However, the Maple Leafs’ defensive difficulties proved costly once again, as Montour’s late winner erased the impact of their third-period comeback.
Seattle goaltender Philipp Grubauer made 18 saves, while Bobrovsky finished with 12 stops for Toronto.
The Kraken’s five-goal performance was enough to secure their eighth victory of the season despite Toronto’s late offensive pressure.
Maple Leafs look to recover after consecutive defeats
Wednesday’s result followed Toronto’s 5-2 loss to the Calgary Flames, a game that ended the team’s four-game winning streak.
The Maple Leafs have now conceded 10 goals across their last two outings, with both defeats coming during their Western Conference road trip.
Against Seattle, Toronto demonstrated its ability to respond offensively, particularly through McKenna’s power-play production and Matthews’ late equalizer.
However, allowing the winning goal in the final minute prevented the Maple Leafs from collecting a point after overcoming a two-goal deficit.
McKenna’s three-point performance was the most encouraging individual development for Toronto, giving the rookie another milestone early in his NHL career.
