In his first couple of months with the Maple Leafs, defenceman Chris Tanev, rightfully so, has been lauded for his on-ice play and leadership.
There’s not much of a difference off the ice either, as we witnessed following the Leafs’ 3-1 loss against the Washington Capitals on Friday night at Scotiabank Arena.
Tanev’s media availability lasted all of 80 seconds as the veteran did a slow burn, clearly unhappy with the team’s effort versus a Caps team that didn’t have its heart-and-soul captain Alex Ovechkin.
“They were connected, they played five quick,” a stoic Tanev said. “They forechecked us really hard and smothered us a little bit. We have to do a better job of handling pressure.
“What they did to us, that’s what we want to do to other teams. They worked extremely hard. They outworked us, deserved to win.”
Indeed. The Leafs, for the most part, have been rather effective as they get used to playing in the manner that coach Craig Berube wants. That didn’t happen on Friday.
There was a time when the Leafs would talk about learning a lesson after a loss. It wasn’t put that way before the team travelled to Pittsburgh for a game against the Penguins on Saturday, but it was implied.
It was an uncharacteristic night for Tanev. He was credited with just one block and was charged with three giveaways.
The 34-year-old was in no mood to discuss his terrific pass leading to the Leafs’ only goal, coming at 11:31 of the second period after he sent John Tavares in on a breakaway.
“Who cares?” Tanev said. “We lost.”
And Tanev had the right answer when he was asked about the Caps’ winning goal. An attempted pass by Auston Matthews behind the Leafs net hit the skate of referee Corey Syvret and the puck bounced out front, where goalie Anthony Stolarz couldn’t clear it. Within a second or two, Connor McMichael lifted puck over Stolarz at 9:51 of the third period.
Tanev cut off a question about Syvret’s inadvertent role on the play.
“It’s hockey, that’s what happens,” Tanev said. “Still 10 or 12 minutes left in the game for us to try to score. We had some chances at the end, it didn’t go in. We need to come and be ready with a better effort (in Pittsburgh).
“I think we just have to worry about playing harder and moving pucks and working as a five-man unit.”
Fact is, it was refreshing to hear Tanev speak like he did.
It was authentic, and Tanev’s post-game attitude was the same way he plays: Meat and potatoes and no-nonsense.
It was a fine example for the rest of the Leafs to follow.
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