'I Think I'm Just Excited About What's Ahead': Maple Leafs' John Tavares Notches 1,000th NHL Point in Front of Dad and Against Former Team

In that moment his teammates mobbed him. Not because the club had just tied the game 3-3 and forced overtime, but Tavares notched his 1,000th NHL point, becoming just the 98th player in NHL history to do so. 

"I think it was just overwhelming happiness," Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly said of the moment. "It was a big point in the game and his teammates realized it happened I think it kind of takes over. 

"That’s a huge milestone and you’re just so proud of him."

A small group of Leafs, including Rielly, were told by the NHL before the game that they were permitted to clear the bench in celebration. Because it was a 6-on-5 situation, the players with knowledge had to motion over to teammates on the bench that they were allowed to come out on the ice to celebrate.

And it wasn't just Maple Leafs who gave Tavares his due.

The New York Islanders flashed his accomplishment on the UBS Arena scoreboard. The captain saluted the crowd (who spent most of the night booing him) while also receiving kudos from his former teammates.

"The uniqueness of doing it where I played the first nine years of my career and a big part of who I am, the way this place impacted me was tremendous," Tavares said.

A total of 621 out of Tavares' 1,000 points came as a member of the club that drafted him with the first overall pick in the 2009 NHL Draft. The Maple Leafs salvaged a point by forcing overtime in the way they did. Islanders forward Bo Horvat scored the winner to defeat the Leafs 4-3. But the result seemed secondary given the emotion of what just took place.

"It’s tough to write a better script," Said Auston Matthews, who scored a goal, had a game-high 11 shots on goal and hit a post and crossbar. "Obviously would have been nice to get that extra point. We’re all so happy for him. Just a huge milestone and a huge moment for him. 

"He deserves to be celebrated.

And it happened on the dad's trip.

Before the game, Tavares mentioned that his father, Joe, didn't get to see a lot of his games because he was busy with work. When John picked up that second point of the night, Joe broke from his usual stoic pose and cracked a big smile.

"I know means a lot to him and his dad here," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said. "We would have liked to have the second point but really happy he was able to have this."

John didn't want to spend much time talking about the milestone before the game although he acknowledged the significance of it. It was fitting that the goal occurred while Tavares was driving to the net. The 33-year-old continues to try and evolve his game as he gets older and the talent across the league gets younger and faster.

He was asked if he'd spend any time looking back on what he just accomplished.

"I would say (I'd go) incredibly in-depth," Tavares replied. "I think I'm just excited about what's ahead and continuing to push forward and wanting to still play at a high level and be productive and continuing to be a really good player in this league. 

"There will be a time and place for more in-depth moments but try to enjoy every second of it."

Tavares' ability to stay in the moment is what allowed the captain to endure a lot of emotion in his career. When he departed the Islanders in 2018 and elected to sign with his hometown Maple Leafs, the Long Island faithful took it personally. They were relentless in their booing of him. Every time he stepped out onto the ice on Monday, he was met with boos. 

But his unrelenting focus and commitment rose to the occasion and it's well earned. 

"He doesn’t really waver in the good or the bad. He’s very stoic," Rielly said of Tavares. "But he doesn’t try to be anything that’s he’s not. He’s just himself every day and I think that’s something we all really appreciate."

Tavares has never made things about himself.

In 2015, he probably should have won the Art Ross Trophy, but informed Islanders director of communications Kimber Auerbach to contact the league about a pair of points he was wrongfully credited with. Surely enough Tavares was right and those points were taken away and that led to Jamie Benn winning the trophy instead.

By doing the right thing, Tavares got a special moment on this night.