'Speaks Volumes About What Kind Of Character Player He Is': Chris Tanev Showcasing Team Importance With Blocking Shots In Maple Leafs' Loss To Rangers
Tanev finished Saturday night's game with 14:07 of ice time in Toronto's 4-1 loss to the Rangers.
When Chris Tanev took New York Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad's shot off the right leg late in the second period on Saturday night, it looked like the defenseman's night was over.
He couldn't bear any weight on it and when he exited the ice, the 34-year-old needed assistance getting to the Toronto Maple Leafs' dressing room.
However, shortly after the third period began, Tanev creeped out of the tunnel and rejoined the Maple Leafs in their battle against the Rangers.
"Obviously, he's a warrior," Tanev's defense partner, Morgan Rielly, said following the game.
"He's blocked a lot of shots over his career, so when he goes down like that, you know it's serious and you hope he comes back and he did. We're grateful for that."
Toronto lost to New York 4-1 with special teams — specifically the Maple Leafs' power play, according to head coach Craig Berube — being an area where the team could've executed better.
Within that, though, Tanev showcased the type of player he can be for this Maple Leafs team — now and in the future.
"He's been unbelievable," Auston Matthews said on Saturday night.
"Just his composure on the backend, what he does — the little things all throughout the game, blocking shots, taking hits, making little plays in [the defensive] zone — and then offensively, he's one of the guys that's up in the rush a lot, too.
"Glad to see him back and hopefully it's nothing serious and he's good to go."
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNu5DtCZzRM[/embed]
Tanev took four shifts after returning in the third period. His final shift of the game lasted only 13 seconds.
"Yeah, he came back, tough guy," Berube said. "I mean, he could have played probably more in the third, but we were down a goal and just kind of went with what we went with."
The veteran defenseman has averaged 18:44 of ice time with the Maple Leafs this season, playing alongside Rielly on Toronto's top pairing. Tanev leads the team in blocked shots with 15 through five games.
"You saw that Zibanejad shot... As a goalie, you can definitely appreciate that because a lot of guys get a lot of fanfare for putting up points, but he takes a lot of pride in blocking shots and it's definitely going to sting a little bit," Anthony Stolarz said on Saturday.
"I know I feel it with my goalie pads sometimes, so I can only imagine what that feels like. But definitely a great guy to be able to go out there and do that night in and night out."
Berube added post-game that Tanev has brought everything to the team since arriving in the offseason, from great defending to leadership. And playing that type of game — blocking shots and putting your body on the line every night — is contagious for other teammates.
It can go a long way in helping your team be successful later in the year when games matter most.
"That speaks volumes about what kind of character player he is. He's pretty selfless and always makes the right play. Very simple and smart with the puck," Matthew Knies said.
"I'm glad that he came back in that game and was able to help us. He means a lot to this team."
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