Maple Leafs Let Marchenko’s Hat-Trick Night Slip Away Amid Baffling Indecision To Bench Gavin Mckenna In OT Loss To Sabres

TRENDINGBrewers sweep DodgersGuardians take 2-1 ALCS leadNFL updatesBroncos defeat Seahawks in OTWNBA All-Defensive first teamStory byStory byMaple Leafs Let Marchenko’s Hat-Trick Night Slip Away Amid Baffling Indecision To Bench Gavin Mckenna In OT Loss To SabresDavid AlterFri, October 16, 2026 at 11:01 AM UTC·8 min readAbout Our AdsRecommended StoriesMaple Leafs coach takes blame for benching Gavin McKenna in OT lossJim Hiller admits he should have played Gavin McKenna earlier in the third periodThe Big LeadMaple Leafs’ Jim Hiller Has Strange Response to Benching Gavin McKennaThe Toronto Maple Leafs had a 4-2 lead over the divisional rival Buffalo Sabres during Thursday night’s contest at Scotiabank Arena thanks to a hat trick from newly acquired forward Kirill Marchenko.However, not only did the Maple Leafs lose former captain John Tavares to injury, but 2026 first overall draft pick Gavin McKenna was benched […] The post Maple Leafs’ Jim Hiller Has Strange Response to Benching Gavin McKenna appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYOpinion: Jim Hiller Made His First Big Mistake As Head Coach Of The Toronto Maple Leafs — And It Came At The Expense Of Gavin McKennaAfter benching No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna for the second-half of the Maple Leafs' 5-4 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres, coach Jim Hiller's baffling explanation and questionable bench management raise concerns about his leadership in Toronto.The Hockey NewsAdvertisementAdvertisement'That Was My Decision': Maple Leafs' Coach Jim Hiller Admits To Mistake, Explains Benching Gavin McKenna Against SabresToronto Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller explains why he benched rookie Gavin McKenna for about half of the game in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres.The Hockey News - Toronto Maple LeafsMaple Leafs’ Jim Hiller gives cryptic answer on Gavin McKenna benching during Sabres gameThe Toronto Maple Leafs suffered their second loss in a row on Thursday, falling prey to the Buffalo Sabres in overtime, 5-4, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Apart from the loss, there has been plenty of buzz about the apparent benching of Maple Leafs rookie Gavin McKenna. The top pick in the 2026 NHL Draft logged a total of just 6:36 of ice time. […] The post Maple Leafs’ Jim Hiller gives cryptic answer on Gavin McKenna benching during Sabres game appeared first on ClutchPoints.ClutchPointsGavin McKenna's nightmare start in Toronto takes another turn after Jim Hiller benches him tonightThe coach explains why the #1 pick didn't play at all in the 2nd half of tonight's loss.HockeyFeedMaple Leafs’ Kirill Marchenko Makes Unexpected Claim After Sabres LossOne of the few bright spots for the Toronto Maple Leafs in their loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, October 15, was Kirill Marchenko’s performance.The 26-year-old forward scored his first hat trick with the Toronto franchise, helping the Leafs take a 4-2 lead.However, Jim Hiller’s team let their guard down, and following John Tavares’ […] The post Maple Leafs’ Kirill Marchenko Makes Unexpected Claim After Sabres Loss appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYSabres Play Odd Role in Maple Leafs’ Tavares Injury, McKenna BenchingThe Buffalo Sabres will sleep on Thursday night into Friday morning as winners. They pulled out a thrilling 5-4 victory in overtime over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The headlines on Friday morning won’t have anything to do with Buffalo’s victory, though. Instead, they’ll focus on a dramatic night for the Maple Leafs. John Tavares got […] The post Sabres Play Odd Role in Maple Leafs’ Tavares Injury, McKenna Benching appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYMaple Leafs Fans Demand Jim Hiller Be Fired After Sabres LossThe Toronto Maple Leafs couldn’t hold on to a 4-2 lead against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, October 15, and lost 5-4 in overtime. Jim Hiller’s team got some good news, including strong performances from Auston Matthews and Kirill Marchenko. The latter had a three-point night after scoring his first hat trick with the Toronto […] The post Maple Leafs Fans Demand Jim Hiller Be Fired After Sabres Loss appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYMaple Leafs’ Auston Matthews Speaks Out on Jim Hiller Benching Gavin McKennaThe Toronto Maple Leafs couldn’t hold on to a 4-2 lead against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, Oct. 15, and lost 5-4 in overtime. Jim Hiller’s team got some good news, including strong performances from Auston Matthews and Kirill Marchenko. The latter had a three-point night after scoring his first hat trick with the Toronto […] The post Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews Speaks Out on Jim Hiller Benching Gavin McKenna appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYMaple Leafs’ Marchenko Trade Looks Better After Hat TrickThe Kirill Marchenko trade is looking much better for the Maple Leafs after Thursday night's hat trick, despite the loss to Buffalo. The post Maple Leafs’ Marchenko Trade Looks Better After Hat Trick appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVY'I Didn't Like Our Game': Why The Maple Leafs Are Shuffling Their Lines Ahead Of Matchup Against SabresThe Leafs are set to start with Auston Matthews and William Nylander playing together while the second and third lines have been completely overhauled.The Hockey News - Toronto Maple Leafs'I Feel Fine, Not Awesome': Maple Leafs' Kirill Marchenko Looking To Push Through What He Thinks Isn't His Best FormKirill Marchenko is expecting much more of himself and to be a more dangerous player as the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare for the Buffalo Sabres.The Hockey News - Toronto Maple LeafsKirill Marchenko Thrills Fans With 1st Maple Leafs Hat TrickAs part of their major changes during the offseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired forward Kirill Marchenko from the Columbus Blue Jackets and immediately signed him to a six-year, $75 million contract extension.Marchenko, who is playing in the final year of his current contract, would not commit to signing an extension with the Blue Jackets, […] The post Kirill Marchenko Thrills Fans With 1st Maple Leafs Hat Trick appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYSecond-Period Rush Goals, Anthony Stolarz Struggles Doom Maple Leafs in UtahA four-goal second period and five rush tallies proved too steep a hill to climb for Anthony Stolarz and the Maple Leafs, rendering a furious third-period rally moot in Salt Lake City.The Hockey News - Toronto Maple LeafsHere’s How Kirill Marchenko Is Doing Since Blue Jackets TradeOn the eve of the season, the Columbus Blue Jackets needed to make some moves to feel more comfortable against the salary cap, and they didn’t do it subtly. They pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs that centered around bringing Matthew Knies to town while dealing away Kirill Marchenko. The deal […] The post Here’s How Kirill Marchenko Is Doing Since Blue Jackets Trade appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYJim Hiller Sends Clear Message to Maple Leafs GoaltenderThe Toronto Maple Leafs almost completed a three-goal comeback on Tuesday against the Utah Mammoth, but ultimately fell 5-4.The Maple Leafs survived a three-goal deficit three times before bringing it within one late in the third on Tuesday night. For the vast majority of the contest, the Maple Leafs were playing catch-up, and once they […] The post Jim Hiller Sends Clear Message to Maple Leafs Goaltender appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYAuston Matthews Wows Maple Leafs Fans With Beautiful Play vs. SabresAuston Matthews continues to amaze, even though everyone already knows he’s elite. During the Toronto Maple Leafs’ game against the Buffalo Sabres this Thursday, October 15, the Canadian franchise’s captain made a spectacular play to score the game’s opening goal.Matthews brought the puck down with his hand while jumping, then passed it to Jack Roslovic, […] The post Auston Matthews Wows Maple Leafs Fans With Beautiful Play vs. Sabres appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYThree Ways The Toronto Maple Leafs Can Improve Their Defensive SituationHow can Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller and GM John Chayka put together a stronger defense corps?The Hockey NewsToronto Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews Shares Honest Message for Jim HillerThe Toronto Maple Leafs have been watching Auston Matthews thrive on the ice this season.In typical Matthews fashion, he blends confidence with humility and can pinpoint what’s been working for him so far.In an exclusive interview with The Athletic, he pulled back the curtain on his 2026-27 campaign thus far.Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews Reveals How […] The post Toronto Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews Shares Honest Message for Jim Hiller appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVY