Tavares reaches 1,000 career points in OT loss to Islanders

Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares registered a goal and an assist against the New York Islanders on Monday to become the 98th player in NHL history to reach 1,000 points.

The milestone point came on a game-tying goal by Morgan Rielly to force overtime, but the Islanders got the last laugh: Bo Horvat scored the winner 44 seconds into the extra frame.

Point No. 1,000 for John Tavares (@91Tavares) comes as he sets up the game-tying goal with just seconds to play to salvage a point for the @MapleLeafs. pic.twitter.com/Bc2V5naMDf

- NHL (@NHL) December 12, 2023

"Happy that it came in a really good moment for the team and it's been a great ride so far, great journey," Tavares said, per The Associated Press' Scott Charles. "Obviously you want to celebrate in a win, but very proud of it.

"And obviously, for me, the uniqueness of doing it where I played my first nine years of my career and a big part of who I am. And, the way this place impacted me it was tremendous. Really unique and cool to do it here. You know, place means a lot."

Tavares accomplished the feat in his 1,054th game after being drafted first overall by New York in 2009. Isles fans booed the Leafs' celebration for their captain, holding firm in their distaste for Tavares' choice to leave Long Island for Toronto as a free agent in 2018.

His production on a per-game basis is nearly identical between the two clubs.

Tavares is up to 25 points in 25 games this season, his 15th in the NHL. He's the 10th active player in the 1,000-point club.

Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.