Tavares' assist on Rielly's game-tying goal was point 1,000, coming against the team that drafted him first overall in 2009.
Tavares' assist on Rielly's game-tying goal was point 1,000, coming against the team that drafted him first overall in 2009.
It might've been raining boos inside UBS Arena on Monday night, but John Tavares made it pour with two points to cap off a milestone evening.
The 33-year-old was just two points away from 1,000 in his career going into Monday's game. This matchup in Long Island was likely circled on his calendar already, given it's his former team.
But heading into the rink on Monday night, Tavares would likely tell you it would be sweet to get career point number 1,000 on Long Island, too.
Mitch Marner got the offense started for the Maple Leafs, getting two near breaks which were both stopped by Ilya Sorokin. Nearly six minutes into the period, though, and it was a familiar face who got on the board in Auston Matthews.
However, a few minutes later, Brock Nelson would find the back of the net for New York. With less than three minutes left in the first period, the Islanders would beat Ilya Samsonov for a second time. A goal that both the netminder — and the team — would like to have back.
It didn't get easier in the second for Toronto. Kyle Palmieri beat Samsonov clean under the blocker to put the Islanders up 3-1. Yet another goal that Samsonov would like to have back.
Toronto, though, did have one as Tavares found the back of the net. And in the third period, Morgan Rielly scored in the dying seconds to force overtime, with the Maple Leafs' captain securing a milestone against his former team.
Though it was a celebration for both teams as the Islanders found the back of the net in overtime, defeating the Maple Leafs 4-3 shortly after Tavares gets career point 1000.
Tavares gets point 999 and 1,000
It would've been sweet for Tavares to get career point 1,000 on Monday night against his former team, but that just wasn't in the cards. He was close though, as he scored a second period goal that got Toronto only down by one to New York.
It was a great tip in front by the Maple Leafs' captain for his eighth goal of the season, and first goal in nine games. Credit to Tavares for getting a stick on this puck after evading six-foot-four Robert Bortuzzo in front of the net.
Later. though, the 33-year-old would do something that only 97 other people have done in the NHL. Score 1,000-career points.
What a milestone for Tavares. To do it against his former team, as the boos came in waves inside UBS Arena, definitely made it sweeter. Heck, to do it in front of his father, who's supported him since the beginning, made it all that more special.
It was an important milestone for the Tavares family, but also a meaningful moment for the team, too, as they filed onto the ice to hug their captain after he assisted on Reilly's game-tying goal.
"It was a bit surreal," Tavares said following the game. "Very proud of it."
A great moment and an incredibly tough milestone to achieve.
Auston Matthews continues scoring goals
The 26-year-old found the back of the net on the power play during Monday's game in New York. That's goals in back-to-back games for Matthews.
What stood out about this goal from the Maple Leafs' center was how quick he pulled it from his backhand to his forehand before firing it on goal. But it was also some great puck movement from Toronto's power play.
Matthews has been scoring in bunches as of late. In the last four games, he has five goals — two against the Bruins on Dec. 2, two vs. Nashville on Saturday, and one on Long Island.
The 26-year-old is now tied with Nikita Kucherov for the league lead in goals with 19 on the year.
Other observations
- Ilya Samsonov made some big saves late in the game for Toronto, but he also allowed a couple questionable goals early on. It was a big game for him on Saturday night, shutting out the Nashville Predators.
If there's anything that Samsonov should take away from Monday's game in New York, it's that he made several big stops when the team needed it most.
- Toronto's fourth line played excellent vs. the Predators, finishing the game with a 98 xGF% at five-on-five. However, it wasn't the same on Monday on Long Island. Ryan Reaves, David Kampf, and Noah Gregor struggled to get going, leaving UBS Arena with a 12.72 xGF% at five-on-five, per NaturalStatTrick.com.
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John Tavares Two Points Away From 1,000 for Career, Could Reach Milestone Against Former Team as Maple Leafs Visit Islanders, Where to Watch
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