NHL Shares John Tavares Development After Maple Leafs Game

After the game, Tavares acknowledged the milestone but was more concerned about the team’s defeat and the Leafs' early-season struggles.

“It’s really hard to comment on it right now. I understand the question,” Tavares said. “But you play this game to win as a team. It’s all about the team, and you’d like to have it make more of an impact in the game. For sure in the moments ahead and the days ahead, I’ll appreciate it more.”

The loss extended Toronto’s inconsistent start to the season. The Maple Leafs, now 5–5–1, have dropped four of their last six and continue to struggle defensively, allowing at least three goals in each of those six games.

Blue Jackets center Charlie Coyle and forwards Mathieu Olivier and Cole Sillinger each had multipoint games, while Zach Werenski, Ivan Provorov and Dante Fabbro scored one goal each.

Toronto outshot Columbus 35–25 but failed to generate consistent scoring chances until late in the game when the matchup was mostly over.

Despite the defeat, Tavares’ 500th goal solidified his place among the NHL’s most accomplished scorers and in Maple Leafs history. The former captain joined Mats Sundin (564) as the only players in history to score their 500th tally while playing for the Leafs.

Toronto visits the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, with puck drop set for 7 p.m. ET.