John Tavares knew he would get a hostile reception from New York Islanders fans in his first visit as a visiting player since the former captain left to sign with his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs as a free agent last summer.
"I don't really expect it to be a very welcoming return," Tavares told reporters Thursday before the Maple Leafs faced the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum. "Just going to go out there and play the best that I can. Just worry about what I can control. The game is played between the boards, so I'm just going to go out there and put my skates on just like I have my whole life.
"It was probably the hardest decision I've ever had to make in my life," he said. "Obviously, it took me some time to do it because of how difficult it was and really not sure what I wanted to do until I made the decision." The fans booed loudly when Tavares and the Maple Leafs hit the ice for pregame warmups, and several times during their skate. They also serenated him with choruses of "We don't need you!" and other derisive chants. At least one plastic snake was thrown on the ice and an Islanders jersey was thrown in Tavares' direction as he left the ice.
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