Eighteen games in, the Leafs have won eight games, which matches their fewest number of wins to start a season since drafting Auston Matthews in 2016. That they accomplished this unflattering feat with one of the most favourable schedules in NHL has to be concerning.

Just four retired players who hit the 500-goal milestone — Patrick Marleau (566), Keith Tkachuk (538), Pat Verbeek (522) and Peter Bondra (503) — are not in the Hall of Fame. Marleau, the NHL career leader in games played with 1,779, has been eligible for just two years and probably has the best shot of that group at being inducted.

Despite the defeat, Tavares’ 500th goal solidified his place among the NHL’s most accomplished scorers and in Maple Leafs history. The former captain joined Mats Sundin (564) as the only players in history to score their 500th tally while playing for the Leafs.