It may only be preseason, but on Tuesday John Tavares gave Toronto Maple Leafs fans a glimpse of what made him the most prized free agent signing of the year.
The former longtime New York Islander, who joined the Maple Leafs over the summer, needed just 5:12 of his first-ever game in Blue and White to score his first goal for the club. After the Ottawa Senators had taken the lead inside the first minute, and with Toronto on a power play, Tavares found himself alone with the puck at the side of the Senators' net.
With plenty of time and space, the 27-year-old unleashed a wrist shot that evaded Senators goaltender Mike Condon.
Toronto would take the lead moments later when Andreas Borgman deflected a pass behind Condon.
The 2-1 scoreline remained until the 6:06 mark of the third period, when Tavares doubled his tally to give the Leafs a two-goal cushion.
Tavares added an assist on a Mitch Marner goal midway through the final frame. Marner's tally would be the final goal of the game, as Toronto won 4-1.