Bouncing around as the third center for stretches this season, Maple Leafs center John Tavares' has elevated his play.

The best part about unstitching the ‘C’ from the sweater of a consummate pro like John Tavares is that he doesn’t need the flair to act like a captain. And when the new captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs temporarily disappears with a mystery injury — as Auston Matthews has this week and last — well,

After the Maple Leafs had a goal by Steven Lorentz disallowed midway through the third period, Nylander made it 3-2 at 15:51. Matthew Knies intercepted Tom Wilson’s pass at the blue line and drove to the net before Nylander tapped in the rebound.

John Tavares scored two goals and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the visiting Detroit Red Wings 3-1 on Friday night.

The Caps looked poised to beat the Maple Leafs after losing all three meetings last season before a late third-period comeback by Toronto led to an overtime defeat.

Mitch Marner tied it in the final minute of the third period, John Tavares scored the overtime winner and the Toronto Maple Leafs rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat the Washington Capitals 4-3 on Wednesday night.