John Tavares returns to Nassau Coliseum to face Islanders

John Tavares and Zach Hyman of the Maple Leafs look on late in the third period against the Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Anders Lee of the Islanders celebrates his second period goal against the Maple Leafs at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Casey Cizikas of the Islanders celebrates his second-period shorthanded goal against the Maple Leafs with teammate Scott Mayfield at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Valtteri Filppula of the Islanders scores a goal late during the second period against Garret Sparks of the Toronto Maple Leafs at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Brock Nelson of the Islanders celebrates his third-period goal against the Maple Leafs at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Brock Nelson of the Islanders celebrates his third-period goal against Garret Sparks of the Maple Leafs at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

John Tavares of the Maple Leafs skates off the ice as the Islanders celebrate their victory at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Casey Cizikas of the Islanders celebrates his second-period shorthanded goal against the Maple Leafs with teammate Scott Mayfield at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

John Tavares of the Maple Leafs plays the puck during the second period against Robin Lehner of the Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

John Tavares of the Maple Leafs skates against Mathew Barzal of the Islanders during the third period at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

John Tavares and Zach Hyman of the Maple Leafs look on late in the third period against the Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Casey Cizikas of the Islanders celebrates his second-period shorthanded goal against the Maple Leafs with teammate Scott Mayfield at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Garret Sparks of the Toronto Maple Leafs surrenders a first-period goal against Anthony Beauvillier of the Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Anthony Beauvillier of the Islanders celebrates his first-period goal with teammate Mathew Barzal as John Tavares of the Maple Leafs looks on at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

John Tavares of the Maple Leafs skates during the first period against the Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

John Tavares of the Maple Leafs celebrates his team's first-period goal against the Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Casey Cizikas of the Islanders celebrates his second-period shorthanded goal against the Maple Leafsat NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Casey Cizikas of the Islanders celebrates his second-period shorthanded goal against the Maple Leafs with teammate Scott Mayfield at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Casey Cizikas of the Islanders celebrates his second-period shorthanded goal against the Maple Leafs at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Robin Lehner of the Islanders makes a save during the second period against Zach Hyman of the Toronto Maple Leafs at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Johnny Boychuk of the Islanders defends against John Tavares of the Maple Leafs during the first period at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

John Tavares of the Maple Leafs acknowledges a video tribute during the first period of a game against the Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Mathew Barzal of the Islanders skates against John Tavares of the Maple Leafs during the first period at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Fans react and hold up banners during player warmups before a game between the Islanders and the Maple Leafs at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Fans react and hold up banners during player warmups before a game between the Islanders and the Maple Leafs at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

John Tavares of the Maple Leafs warms up before a game against the Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Fans react and hold up banners during player warmups before a game between the Islanders and the Maple Leafs at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

John Tavares of the Maple Leafs warms up before a game against the Islanders at NYCB Live's NAssau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

John Tavares of the Maple Leafs warms up before a game against the Islanders at NYCB Live's NAssau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

John Tavares of the Maple Leafs warms up before a game against the Islanders at NYCB Live's NAssau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

An Islanders fan wears a jersey of former Islander John Tavares, who will be playing for the Maple Leafs in his first game back on Long Island against the Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

An Islanders fan wears a jersey of former Islander John Tavares, who will be playing for the Maple Leafs in his first game back on Long Island against the Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

An Islanders fan wears a jersey of former Islander John Tavares, who will be playing for the Maple Leafs in his first game back on Long Island against the Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

An Islanders fan wears a jersey of former Islander John Tavares, who will be playing for the Maple Leafs in his first game back on Long Island against the Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Christian Forte of East Quogue poses for a photograph with a jersey of former Islander John Tavares, who will be playing for the Maple Leafs in his first game back on Long Island against the Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Steven Silverman, left, of Cedarhurst and Charlie Summers of Rockville Centre pose for a photograph wearing jerseys of former Islander John Tavares, who will be playing for the Maple Leafs in his first game back on Long Island against the Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Islanders fans arrive for a game against the Maple Leafs at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Islanders fans arrive for a game against the Maple Leafs at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

A jersey of former Islander John Tavares is seen prior to a game against the Maple Leafs at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Fans pose for a photograph in front of a banner in reference to former Islander John Tavares, who will be playing for the Maple Leafs in his first game back on Long Island against the Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Patrick Dowd of Bay Shore holds a banner in reference to former Islander John Tavares, who will be playing for the Maple Leafs in his first game back on Long Island against the Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.