Playing in gold medal games, Game 7s, playing in overtime in the Stanley Cup Finals. Games like that you look back at. Being a part of the biggest outdoor game in history at the Big House in Michigan. That was very cool, that setting. Just things like that you kind of look back, you scroll through some old photos and just kinda have to pinch yourself. Like, you lived that and you went through it. It's very surreal, very cool to think about,
"You play this game to win as a team, and it's all about the team," Tavares said post-game. "And you know, you'd like to have had it made more of an impact in the game. But for sure, in the days ahead and moments ahead, I'll appreciate it more." Tavares became the 49th player in NHL history to reach 500 goals, which invites an opportunity to reflect on his remarkable career.