John Tavares Scores 501st Goal as Leafs Top Mammoth 5-3

UPDATE: In a thrilling matchup, John Tavares scored his 501st career goal during the third period, leading the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 5-3 victory over the Utah Mammoth on November 5, 2025. This significant milestone adds to Tavares’s legacy as he becomes the 49th player in NHL history to reach the 500-goal mark.

The Leafs, currently standing at 8-5-1, showcased their resilience once again after previously overcoming a three-goal deficit against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Following a slow start, the team rallied with powerful performances from William Nylander and Auston Matthews, who both scored in the second period. Matias Maccelli contributed with a goal and an assist against his former team, while Matthew Knies sealed the game with an empty-net goal.

Utah, with a record of 9-5-0, initially led the game 1-0 after the first period, thanks to Michael Carcone. However, the Mammoth could not maintain their momentum as Toronto quickly turned the tables. Anthony Stolarz made 21 saves for the Leafs, while Vitek Vanecek stopped 14 shots for Utah.

Before the game, Tavares was honored for reaching his 500-goal milestone last week, igniting excitement among the fans. He then put the Leafs ahead with a backhand shot that broke a 2-2 tie midway through the third period.

This victory marks the Leafs’ third consecutive win, further solidifying their position in the league. Notably, Auston Matthews scored his 225th career home goal, tying with Dave Keon for the second most in franchise history. Darryl Sittler holds the record with 231 goals.

Looking ahead, the Maple Leafs are set to host the Boston Bruins on Saturday, while the Mammoth will visit the Ottawa Senators the same day.

As the NHL season progresses, fans will be eager to see how Tavares and the Leafs build on this momentum. Stay tuned for updates on their upcoming games and any further developments in the league.

This report is based on information from The Canadian Press.