Former Penn State men's hockey forward Gavin McKenna is back in action on the ice, but not for the Nittany Lions. Rather, 18-year-old McKenna is making his NHL debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who drafted him No. 1 overall in the 2026 NHL Draft.
McKenna practiced alongside center John Tavares and winger William Nylander on Monday, per reports. Initially following the draft, he was expected to share a line with captain Auston Matthews, but the rookie might have to settle for the second line in his debut.
The Maple Leafs season kicks off Tuesday night with a rivalry vs. the Montreal Canadiens. Here's everything you need to know about McKenna's first NHL contest.
How to watch Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens
- Date: Tuesday, Sept. 29
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Venue: Scotiabank Arena (Toronto)
- How to Watch (TV): ESPN
- Streaming: fuboTV
- Toronto 2025-26 record: 32-36-14 (eighth in the Atlantic)
- Montreal 2025-26 record: 48-24-10 (third in the Atlantic)
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens series history
Tuesday is the seventh consecutive season-opening matchup and 24th season-opener all-time in the Toronto-Montreal rivalry. The Maple Leafs are 14-8-1 in season-openers vs. the Canadiens. Montreal is 9-11-3.
This is the 777th regular season game between the two. The Canadiens lead the series all-time with a 370-304-102 record while Toronto has a 318-350-108 record against them. Both have also played against each other 78 times in the playoffs. Montreal holds a 46-32 record over the Maple Leafs in the postseason.
The Leafs and Canadiens enter this game Tuesday with a clean slate after finishing on opposite ends of the Atlantic Division in 2025-26. Montreal went on a 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff run and lost in the Eastern Conference Final, 4-1, to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Carolina.
Gavin McKenna quick stats and facts
- Became the first No. 1 overall pick Penn State men's hockey has produced and the third across all Penn State athletics alongside Ki-Jana Carter and Courtney Brown
- Notched one assist in his two preseason game appearances for the Maple Leafs
- Logged 15 goals and 36 assists for 51 points in 35 games for the Nittany Lions in 2025-26
- Had five power play goals and two game-winners as a true freshman
- Had five blocks for Penn State
- Named a 2026 Hobey Baker Award Top-10 Finalist
- Named 2026 Big Ten Freshman of the Year
- Unanimous selection to 2026 B1G All-Freshman Team and named to 2026 All-B1G Second Team
- Won the 2026 Big Ten Scoring Champion and was the first Nittany Lion in history to do so
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