Toronto Maple Leafs coach explains why rookie Gavin McKenna got benched

The biggest question following the Toronto Maple Leafs' loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday was around rookie Gavin McKenna.

The Maple Leafs' first overall pick didn't see the ice after the 10:20 mark of the second period, and spent the rest of the game glued to the bench as Buffalo scored three unanswered goals to come back and beat Toronto 5-4 in overtime.

The 18-year-old finished the game with just six minutes and 36 seconds of ice time — the second-lowest among all Toronto skaters.

Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller admitted in his post-game press conference that it was his choice to keep McKenna off the ice for the rest of the game.

"That was my decision. We went through a stretch [late in the second period]; I think we had those penalties. Then I didn't get him out there through that stretch," Hiller said.

"That was my decision... I probably should have gotten him out there early in the third." Jim Hiller addresses Gavin McKenna's ice time in the Maple Leafs' OT loss to the Sabres. https://t.co/sLOJJUeIGx

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"I thought his game was OK. The big thing is the penalties. He doesn't get to play [on the penalty kill]. We get into the third, and now he hasn't played for 30-some-odd minutes. We talked about getting him out in the third, but it just didn't happen."

Hiller was then asked whether he'd spoken with McKenna one-on-one to explain why the rookie didn't see the ice for the second half of the game.

The Maple Leafs coach said he hadn't.

"I'll talk to him for sure, but I haven't talked with him yet," Hiller said.

McKenna has had a decent start to his NHL career, recording two goals and five points through his first eight games. Before Thursday, his lowest ice-time total was 12 minutes and 46 seconds in Toronto's Oct. 3 loss to Ottawa.

In his limited ice time against Buffalo, McKenna recorded one shot and was on the ice for the Sabres' second goal.

Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews also weighed in on the benching, saying it's "not a situation you want to be in" while making it clear he has the rookie's back.

Auston Matthews comments on Gavin McKenna getting benched during the second half of Thursday night's game. https://t.co/hhz2cnWOjP

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"Those things kinda happen sometimes. It's not a situation you want to be in, but we all have his back. I know a game like tonight will make him hungry for the next one," Matthews said after the game.

McKenna and the Maple Leafs will look to bounce back Saturday when they host the New York Islanders at Scotiabank Arena for the second time this season.