Tavares’ Quest for 50

After a four-goal performance on Monday – the first of his NHL career – John Tavares is now five goals away from the illustrious 50-goal club. With 45 goals, he has five games to become the first Toronto Maple Leaf to reach the marker in 25 years.

Gary Leeman Rick Vaive Dave Andreychuk

The 2009 first overall draft pick has blown past his personal best of 38 goals in a season. He now trails only Washington Capitals sniper Alex Ovechkin for the league lead in goals. Tavares has also tied his career high with 86 points.

Tavares, A Center of Attention

The Leafs’ one-two punch at center with of Auston Matthews and Tavares has given coach Mike Babcock a lethal dose of offense to roll. Opposing teams can only hope to contain one of them.

Tavares had instant chemistry with speedy playmaker Mitch Marner. “Just trying to play my game,” said Tavares. “With the type of players I’m playing with and the type of team we have, they make so many plays. You just try to make yourself available.”

Related: Toronto Maple Leafs’ 50-Goal Scorers

The big fish from free agency who inked a seven-year, $77 million contract with the Maple Leafs has enjoyed a dream first season in blue and white. But he’s not completely satisfied. “It’s a good feeling,” said the 28-year-old center. “I still feel like we can be a little better with some of the opportunities we gave up.”

Mr. Consistent

Tavares has been a model of consistency for the Leafs. He hasn’t gone more than two games without a point or more than five games without a goal this season.“It’s easy to go into the rink early once a week or do treatment–roll out–when you feel like it. He does it every single day,” said Morgan Rielly. “It’s not that easy and it’s a long season, and he’s in there every single day doing the same thing. He’s got a routine.”

John Tavares
Tavares has been nothing short of spectacular since joining the Maple Leafs. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Breaking down his season, Tavares has 23 goals in 39 home games and 22 goals in 38 road games. He had 30 goals in 49 before the All-Star break and 27 goals in 16 games after it.

Here’s looking at the Maple Leafs’ remaining games:

  • Sat., Mar. 30 at the Ottawa Senators – in three games against the Senators this season, Tavares has two goals and two assists.
  • Mon., April 1 at the New York Islanders – in two games against the Isles this season, Tavares failed to record a point.
  • Tues., April 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes – in two games against the Hurricanes this season, Tavares has two goals. He’s scored 22 goals in his career against the Canes, his most against any team.
  • Thurs., April 4 against the Tampa Bay Lightning – in three games against the Lightning this season, Tavares has only two assists.
  • Sat., April 6 at the Montreal Canadiens – in three games against the Habs this season, Tavares has two goals and two assists.

Maple Leaf 50-Goal Scorers

As a child, Tavares slept in Maple Leaf pajamas and dreamt of success. Now, with two weeks to go in the regular season, he has had a Top 10 season in goals and a Top 25 campaign in points in franchise history.

“If you get there [scoring 50 goals], it would be great,” said Tavares. “It just means you’re helping the team out and contributing consistently. Obviously it’s a significant number in our league for many reasons.”

Before joining the NHL in 2006-07, Tavares had a whopping 72-goal season in 67 games with the Oshawa Generals of the OHL.

Related: Islander Fans Send Clear Message to Tavares

The last Maple Leaf to reach the lofty 50-goal plateau was Hall-of-Famer Dave Andreychuk in the 1993-94 season. He did so after scoring 29 goals for the Buffalo Sabres before joining the Leafs. Rick Vaive hit the mark three times, while Gary Leeman achieved it once. Of these three players, only Andreychuck was able to propel his team beyond the first round of the playoffs.

Maple Leaf Success & Career-Best Seasons

As the season winds down and the Maple Leafs are on their way to the playoffs, there’s a lot of excitement ahead. While Babcock is regimented and stresses team success above all else, he can’t help but pay attention as Tavares and others chase personal milestones. Rielly, Travis Hyman, Marner and Matthews are all bound for career seasons.

Zach Hyman, Morgan Rielly, Mitch Marner, John Tavares
Can Hyman, Rielly, Marner, and Tavares continue their success in the playoffs? (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh)

Only five players have scored 50 goals in a season since Tavares entered the league in 2009: Alex Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Corey Perry. Whether or not Tavares adds his name to the list, it sure feels like the last few weeks of the season will be the start of a wild postseason ride.