Still feeling scorned by John Tavares’ decision to leave Long Island to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders fans gave him a relentlessly hostile reception during his first visit Thursday. Throwing stuff was reckless but fan is short for “fanatic.” They got the last laugh when the Islanders pummeled the Maple Leafs 6-1 and reached 81 points, one more than they earned last season. They have their feelings and that’s out of my control,” a diplomatic Tavares told reporters. The Maple Leafs changed the order of their introductions so he’d go last and his teammates skated away to leave him in the spotlight while fans roared. He had a goal and two assists in a 5-2 victory over Buffalo.

Source: Los Angeles Times March 04, 2019 22:49 UTC