The news that Tavares had been traded to the Nashville Predators was met with mixed emotions by Islanders fans. Some felt vindicated that he had not managed to achieve the ultimate goal of winning a Stanley Cup with the Leafs, while others were saddened to see him leave the team he had captained for three seasons.

The Core Four led by Tavares, the Leafs captain until this year, accounted for two playoff series victories over those seven seasons, and while Toronto media heaped blame onto Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews for their respective no-shows against the Panthers, footie pajamas were no help to Tavares either.

Tavares told reporters after the game he wants to re-sign, but conventional wisdom is the Leafs must break up their core in some way, shape or form. If it’s over, Tavares’ time in Toronto ended with him earning points in just one of seven games against Florida, and a pedestrian-for-him 31 points in 51 playoff games with Toronto that included five Game 7 defeats, with a minus-3 in Sunday’s embarrassing 6-1 loss to Florida.

That might be as good a cause as the Islanders fan base has had to celebrate all season.