Among the most predictable daily events in the National Hockey League is that opponents will do everything they can to contain the Islanders’ top line in general and John Tavares in particular. The surprise lately is that it has been working.
Including the 4-3 shootout loss in Toronto on Thursday, the captain has not scored a 5-on-5 goal in the past seven games and has not had an assist of any kind in the past six. And his goal on Feb. 16 was awarded to him when he was brought down with 32 seconds left on the way toward an empty net.