Tavares motivated for playoffs regardless of the fan situation
Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares spoke with media today, and the main topic was how it will feel for the players without fans in attendance.
Tavares admitted that the fans bring a great amount of energy to the games and it will be weird playing without them, but “the biggest motivating factor [in a return] is I've wanted to lift that trophy over my head since I was a kid.”
It doesn't come as a surprise to hear just how badly Tavares wants to win a Stanley Cup, as it was a big part of the reason why he decided to sign with the Maple Leafs as a free agent during the 2018 offseason. Though last season ended in a disappointing way for Tavares and his teammates, they have put themselves in a great spot again this season as they look to try and go on a Cup run.
As far as the NHL returning goes, it appears they are one step closer. As phase 2 began yesterday, some players from teams have resumed skating. Tavares was on the ice this morning, skating with teammates Ilya Mikheyev, Jake Muzzin, and Jack Campbell.
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13 MAI 2026
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| B | P | PTS | ||
| Nick Foligno | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Parker Kelly | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Brett Kulak | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Matthew Boldy | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Brent Burns | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Martin Necas | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Nico Sturm | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Jack Drury | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Marcus Johansson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Nathan MacKinnon | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Quinn Hughes | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Kirill Kaprizov | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Nicolas Roy | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Devon Toews | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jack Ahcan | - | - | - | |
| Mackenzie Blackwood | - | - | - | |
| Ross Colton | - | - | - | |
| Brock Faber | - | - | - | |
| Marcus Foligno | - | - | - | |
| Ryan Hartman | - | - | - | |
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