Overview
- The Toronto and Montreal split‑squad preseason games were played concurrently on Sept. 19 with Montreal winning 4-1 at Scotiabank Arena and taking the other game 4-3 in overtime in Montreal.
- Gavin McKenna made his professional and preseason debut in the Toronto game and skated on a top-six line with John Tavares and William Nylander while creating several scoring chances.
- Head coach Jim Hiller praised McKenna’s start and said McKenna was involved in multiple chances but will be used cautiously on the power play as the club evaluates his readiness.
- Toronto dressed most of its star players in the home game, started Sergei Bobrovsky but planned to limit his minutes, and used the split format to give both veterans and prospects meaningful ice time.
- McKenna was the No. 1 overall pick in June after a 51‑point freshman season at Penn State and his debut fast‑forwards Toronto’s evaluation window in a shortened preseason that finishes before the Sept. 29 regular‑season opener.