2026 first overall draft pick Gavin McKenna (TOR) recorded his first two NHL points, a goal and an assist, during the second period of the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 overtime victory last night against the Nashville Predators at Scotiabank Arena. He is the latest of several prospects to record their initial goals this season, joining Trevor Connelly (VGK), Owen Michaels (EDM), and James Hagens (BOS) in accomplishing the feat. New York Rangers’ rookie d-man Alberts Smits has played extremely well, although he has yet to record an NHL point in this young season.
The most unlikely person to record a goal this season is New York Rangers’ goaltender Igor Shesterkin. Shesterkin scored an empty-net goal against Tampa Bay on October 1, the first of his career, becoming the first Rangers’ goaltender in history to record a tally.