“Really fortunate for the opportunity” – John Tavares recovers and ready to lead Maple Leafs at Stanley Cup
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John Tavares
The Toronto Maple Leafs skipper John Tavares is finally set to yet again step on the ice at Scotiabank Arena on Monday after a gap of almost a year. The National Hockey League (NHL) star center had last left on a stretcher with a concussion and knee injury.
The Mississauga native will yet again lead his side against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of the best-of-7 Eastern Conference First Round. Talking about his comeback, Tavares stated that he won’t be haunted by the frightening incident he was involved in the last time he participated in a Stanley Cup Playoff game as he’s very little recollection of it.
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“I think you get perspective going through something like that, just getting another opportunity,” Tavares said, as quoted by NHL.com. “I’m really fortunate and looking forward to it. It’s a special time of year and I’m very fortunate for the opportunity and not taking it for granted.”
“Move forward and try to get better for it”
The 31-year-old Tavares was injured during Game 1 of the 2021 Stanley Cup First Round against the Montreal Canadiens in Toronto. Following this bizarre incident, he was able to skate on his own a week later but was not in any condition to rejoin the series. Consequently, the Maple Leafs conceded a 3-1 series lead and got helplessly eliminated.
“Unfortunately I went through something like that, but it is what it is and (I) just accepted it. (You) move forward and try to get better for it. (It) just gives you an appreciation for playing the game and doing what we can do.”
He added: “Clearly, obviously, a very good team. We all know what they’ve accomplished in the last number of years, the depth they have, the firepower, and goaltending. So obviously they’re very deep, very proven and a heck of a test for us.”
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Sachin Arora
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