Benching Gavin McKenna was a baffling decision by Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller

Jeremy Tingly argues that Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller made a baffling decision to bench 18-year-old rookie Gavin McKenna midway through Thursday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres. McKenna did not see the ice after the middle of the second period and finished with just 6:36 of total ice time. Post-game, Hiller took responsibility, explaining that penalty trouble and intermission timing led him to leave the forward on the bench.

Tingly contends that Hiller's defensive in-game management hindered the team, noting that McKenna entered the game on a four-game point streak. Despite forward John Tavares leaving with an injury, McKenna remained benched for the final half of the contest. Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews voiced support for the rookie, expressing confidence that the situation would motivate McKenna ahead of Saturday's matchup against the New York Islanders.