VIDEO: John Tavares scores 1st career playoff hatty!

The Toronto Maple Leafs needed to rebound in a huge way after Tuesday night's embarrassing 7-3 setback at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of their first round Stanley Cup Playoffs series. And they did so in spades tonight at Scotiabank Arena, led by captain John Tavares.

The Toronto native scored his first career playoff hat trick en route to a 7-2 victory, a near complete opposite result of what transpired on Tuesday night. Thanks to his efforts, the series is tied at 1-1 apiece as the two teams will shift for Games 3 and 4 at Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay, Florida. 

The hat trick from Tavares was the first by a Leafs player since Alexander Mogilny accomplished the feat in 2003.