See more MLHS in Google Add MLHS as a preferred source + Add After a 6-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche, head coach Jim Hiller discussed Gavin McKenna\u2019s continued development and growing responsibilities, William Nylander\u2019s five-point performance, Sergei Bobrovsky\u2019s first win as a Leaf, and the status of Chris Tanev. <\/p>\n
Hiller on the team\u2019s overall performance:<\/p>\n
I liked the first and the third. They had a couple of rush chances in the first. The second period got a little crazy. But what a response in the third period. Even against Vegas, which got crazy in the second, I thought we played pretty well in the third. Tonight, we were able to get it done.<\/p>\n
Hiller on William Nylander\u2019s five-point night:<\/p>\n
Well, he was skating.<\/p>\n
I think it must have been the first goal, where he makes the nice pass to Blankenburg. Back it up 10 seconds: He\u2019s in on the forecheck, he wins a puck battle, and that sets the whole thing up. And then he\u2019s allowed to get the opportunity to make the next play because he made the first one by skating on the forecheck and winning a battle.<\/p>\n
Hiller on how Nylander\u2019s game has matured since he first coached him:<\/p>\n
Well, I mean, the obvious: He\u2019s more mature, both mentally and physically. He was always strong then, but now he\u2019s a real powerful player.<\/p>\n
And I think he understands the game really well with and without the puck. When I first was with him and he was young, he was an offensive player, and you\u2019re trying to teach him how to play the game without the puck. I think now he knows how to play the game without the puck. I think that\u2019s probably the biggest difference.<\/p>\n
Hiller on the team\u2019s defensive effort, and Nick Blankenburg\u2019s first game (and goal) of the season:<\/p>\n
Yeah, well, I mean, that\u2019s the way you want to start. You get a great start from Blanky. That probably gives you a boost of confidence, I\u2019m sure. He probably played more than we thought he was going to play for his first game of the season.<\/p>\n
But I thought that D-corps battled. It was tough in the D-zone at times, but those guys did a really good job of just bending but not breaking.<\/p>\n
Hiller on what Gavin McKenna showed him on PP1 and his impressive progression over the last few games:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Well, when we need him to backcheck, we know he can backcheck!<\/p>\n
No, I mean \u2014 you guys have seen it, too \u2014 it just seems to be every game he\u2019s taking steps. We just played Vegas and Colorado, and you\u2019re a young guy at 18 years old, and to play those two games back-to-back, it\u2019s pretty impressive.<\/p>\n
And he\u2019s dynamic. You know that. He\u2019s just a good player, and he\u2019s going to be for a long time.<\/p>\n
PAPI ON THE POWER PLAY AFTER MCKENNA GETS THE STOP! pic.twitter.com\/5WbCPvRGX9<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Maple Leafs<\/a> Hotstove (@LeafsNews) October 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n KEEP MCKENNA ON PP1<\/p>\n A BEAUTY FEED TO NYLANDER! pic.twitter.com\/ZRZROllsTF<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Maple Leafs<\/a> Hotstove (@LeafsNews) October 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Hiller on McKenna earning power-play opportunities and additional shifts on the first line:<\/p>\n He\u2019s playing good. You know what I mean? We\u2019re not just giving that to him. He\u2019s earned that.<\/p>\n You can see down the road where this is going to go with him. But for now, at that young age, if he\u2019s earned it, we\u2019re going to give him a crack to do that.<\/p>\n It doesn\u2019t mean he\u2019ll start there every night, but when he\u2019s playing well and he\u2019s on, then he\u2019s going to get those shifts.<\/p>\n Hiller on Sergei Bobrovsky\u2019s performance in goal in his first win as a Leaf:<\/p>\n Those last two games were a lot of work for him.<\/p>\n And I guess that\u2019s just classic Bob, right? That\u2019s why he\u2019s here.<\/p>\n He just has a way to settle everybody down. Such a calm demeanor, and he made some great saves.<\/p>\n Hiller on slowing down Nathan MacKinnon as the game progressed:<\/p>\n Well, in the third period, we really tried to get Sissons, Blueger, and Duhaime against them.<\/p>\n If you check that, outside of the power plays and stuff, we matched them up and got our matchup at five-on-five. And I thought those three, in particular, did a great job in the third period.<\/p>\n Hiller on Chris Tanev\u2019s status, and if he is concerned about his injury situation:<\/p>\n I don\u2019t know. There has been a lot going on here, so I haven\u2019t talked to anybody about him. We will probably know tomorrow or the next day. Tomorrow is a day off, so it might be a couple of days.<\/p>\n You\u2019re always concerned, whether it is him or anybody, if a player isn\u2019t able to finish the game. Always concerned about my players.<\/p>\n Game Highlights: Maple Leafs 6 vs. Avalanche 3 <\/p>\n