Toronto Maple Leafs: John Tavares is a man on a mission

The way John Tavares has rebounded from the Toronto Maple Leafs’ embarrassing loss to the Islanders tells you all you need to know about him.

When the Toronto Maple Leafs recently lost 6-1 to the New York Islanders, it really felt like the team let John Tavares down. Especially when the players were well aware of the anger from fans — some of it justified, a lot of it not — regarding his return to where he played the first nine seasons of his NHL career.

The game turned out to be a defining moment for Tavares. However, instead of letting it impact his confidence negatively or wonder how much his teammates had his back, the moment proved to be motivational for him.

They often say that adversity reveals character, rather than create it. Along these lines, the 2009 first overall draft pick has proven his mental fortitude.

Consider that since the humiliation at the hands of the Islanders, Tavares has recorded eight points in four games. This works out to be the second-best four-game stretch of the season for him. (He produced nine points in four games — actually it was achieved in three games — back in October.)

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This run of form included three points on Saturday night against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, in a 3-2 win which was not as close as it sounds. Like McDavid, Tavares had two assists.

However, it was the 28-year-old’s goal which everyone was talking about, as he equaled his career-high of 38 from the 2014-15 campaign. What makes this so impressive, is that there are still 14 regular season games remaining for him to set a new career-best for goals.

Talking of which, Tavares also has an excellent chance to set a new personal record for overall points in a regular season. With 76 points as of Sunday morning, he is 10 off his career-high — also from the 2014-15 season — with those same 14 games remaining.

In a more general season, it’s hard to argue that this isn’t the six-time All-Stars’ best season of his NHL career. He’s already achieved career highs for even strength goals and blocks, while being on course for new personal bests in plus/minus rating, faceoff win percentage and hits.

While the game against the Oilers was an excellent one for Tavares personally, all he was concerned about was the result and how well the Leafs played as a team. As per the Associated Press via Sports Illustrated, he said:

"“Probably other than the last couple of minutes, we played a really good road game,. We didn’t get rewarded as much as I think we could have. Everyone was doing a lot of good things out there and making it hard for them to establish any offence or any momentum and we generated some chance and did a good job getting a three-goal lead that proved to be enough.”"

When considering the quality of the opponent on Saturday night — McDavid aside of course — Tavares’ comments allude to the fact the Leafs still need to concentrate better and be more clinical with them chances. However, it doesn’t change the fact the team has grabbed seven out of a possible eight points, since the Islanders debacle.

A big part of the reason for this, is the play of Tavares. And with every passing game he is proving — no matter what Islanders fans would have you believe — that he made the right decision to sign in Toronto.

More importantly, the Mississauga, Ontario native is showing the fight and determination he possesses. These attributes will prove vital, once the playoffs begin.

How confident are you in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ chances once the playoffs begin? More specifically, what kind of impact do you predict Tavares will have for the team in their quest to win the Stanley Cup? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.