John Tavares didn’t feel like celebrating his 500th NHL goal – and for good reason.

Tavares became the 49th National Hockey Leaguer to the milestone, but it was a muted reaction from him and the Maple Leafs as it came late in a 6-3 loss at Nationwide Arena in Columbus. It’s back to the drawing board for Tavares and company after that awful back-to-back conclusion. Article content Article content Article content

Looking ragged defensively from goaltender Cayden Primeau across the board, Toronto was whipped by the Blue Jackets. Each club played the night before, the Leafs able to beat the NHL’s last-place Calgary Flames at home, the Jackets keeping it rolling after an overtime triumph in Buffalo.

But missing winger William Nylander among others and turning to Primeau with Anthony S

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