Maple Leafs' Bobrovsky allows last-minute goal in loss to Kraken

Maple Leafs’ Bobrovsky allows last-minute goal in loss to Kraken

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Sergei Bobrovsky struggled through a difficult night in Seattle on October 28, 2026, allowing five goals on 17 shots before a late Brandon Montour winner handed the Toronto Maple Leafs a 5-4 defeat at Climate Pledge Arena despite an Auston Matthews tying goal.

The troubles in the crease stretched well beyond a single tough evening on the road. Sergei Bobrovsky entered the matchup carrying a 3-4-2 record alongside a 3.09 GAA and an .897 save percentage, according to TSN Hockey analysts Marc Denis and Martin Biron. That early-season turbulence deepened when the veteran netminder surrendered three goals on the Calgary Flames’ first 12 shots just days earlier, before yielding five scores on a meager 17 attempts against the Seattle Kraken for a .706 save percentage.

Those numbers mark a challenging opening stretch for a player commanding a $7 million average annual value. Toronto’s Sergei Bobrovsky has started slow out of the gates, posting a 3-4-2 record, a 3.09 GAA and a .897 save percentage.

Jim Hiller Backs Sergei Bobrovsky Despite Mounting Pressure

Questions regarding a potential mid-game goaltender switch surfaced as Seattle piled up goals, but head coach Jim Hiller dismissed the idea immediately.

Not at all.

Jim Hiller, Head Coach, Maple Leaf Hot Stove

While acknowledging that the decisive goal was one the netminder would probably want back, the coach pointed out that deflections off a toe or a stick left his goalie little chance on several sequences.

Sergei, we brought him in to be there when the pressure ramps up and we need a rock back there. So, he’s moving well. He’s doing a lot of great things. It’s been great to have him in the locker room, around the guys.

John Chayka, General Manager, Sportsnet

Gavin McKenna Moves to the Top Line Amid Injuries

Lineup adjustments forced by health concerns opened the door for rookie Gavin McKenna to skate on the top unit alongside Auston Matthews and Jack Roslovic. Head coach Jim Hiller explained that the promotion also involved shifting Easton Cowan to skate alongside William Nylander and Nick Paul. When asked why Cowan was moved down rather than slotting McKenna straight onto the second line with Paul and Nylander, Hiller noted that the team discusses those alignment options frequently. The shuffle also accommodated the absence of Kirill Marchenko and John Tavares, with Hiller pointing out that both players normally log 18 to 19 important minutes per night when healthy. To set an assertive tone right off the opening faceoff, Hiller deployed a gritty identity line consisting of Teddy Blueger, Brandon Duhaime, and Zack MacEwen, noting that this trio ultimately logged more ice time than the combination of Colton Sissons, Vinni Lettieri, and Bo Groulx.

Maple Leafs' Bobrovsky allows last-minute goal in loss to Kraken
Photo: Maple Leaf Hot Stove
Chandler Stephenson tallied a goal and an assist, Mackie Samoskevich added a pair of helpers, and Brandon Montour scored the
Photo: Sportsnet

McKenna, approaching the one-month milestone of his NHL career, acknowledged the confidence boost that comes with skating alongside elite playmakers. In limited prior 5-on-5 samples totaling roughly 16 minutes across six games, data from NaturalStatTrick.com showed the Maple Leafs controlling 51.4 percent of shot attempts without surrendering a goal.

Matthews has historically been more productive against the Kraken than any other team in the league, contributing a goal and two assists in this matchup to extend that trend. His late 6-on-5 tally tied the game with just 53 seconds remaining on the clock, only for Brandon Montour to respond moments later.

Brandon Montour Lifts Seattle in the Final Minute

With regulation winding down, a defensive breakdown allowed Seattle’s Brandon Montour to skate down the dot lane and blast the game-winning goal right through Bobrovsky with a scant 32 seconds left on the game clock. The sudden strike wiped out the momentum generated by Matthews moments earlier.

Brandon Montour Game Winning Goal and Kraken Victory vs Maple Leafs 10/28/26

There’s nothing that we can do now. Bob’s been great. I mean, he’s been great for us all year long. Every now and then there’s going to be a couple you want back. But in the end, I put it more on us as a five-man unit, not doing enough to help him out in certain situations where they’re coming down and getting Grade-A chances.

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