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Watch: John Tavares beast-modes way to game-winning helper

New York Islanders right wing Josh Bailey (12) celebrates with teammate John Tavares (91) after scoring the game winning goal Wednesday. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Islanders right wing Josh Bailey (12) celebrates with teammate John Tavares (91) after scoring the game winning goal Wednesday. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Just give John Tavares all of the money right now.

Absolutely nobody needs to be reminded that the Islanders captain is going to cash in with one of the most lucrative contracts in NHL history when he (potentially) becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. On Wednesday, however, Tavares showed again that his world-class skillset goes far beyond his ability to put the puck in the net.

Tavares took control of the puck in the Flyers’ end during the three-on-three overtime period and went full beast mode along the boards against Sean Couturier, making the Flyers centre — one of the best in the NHL along the wall — look like an amateur. Cutting back and forth, and back, and forth, Tavares toyed with Couturier before eventually breaking free and sending a perfect pass over to a wide-open Josh Bailey who put home the game winner.

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Combining his vision, strength and tenacity in the grimy areas, Tavares had two apples in his team’s victory Wednesday. He sits second in the NHL with 15 goals while playing through the final year of an extremely team-friendly six-year, $33-million contract with the Islanders.

Cha-ching.

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