The Maple Leafs lost their defensive linchpin on Tuesday night.
Chris Tanev departed the game in Boston against the Bruins early in the first period after he was hit in the corner by Bruins forward John Beecher.
The Leafs announced at the beginning of the second period that Tanev would not return at TD Garden because of an upper-body injury. There was no immediate word from the Leafs on the severity of the injury.
While Tanev’s willingness to block shots — he was second in the National Hockey League with 151, two fewer than Ian Cole of the Utah Hockey Club — has garnered attention, the veteran defenceman’s play as a whole in the defensive zone has been a large advantage for the Leafs in his first year with Toronto after signing a six-year contract in free agency.
You would have to pore over lots of video to find examples of Tanev being out of position, and his ability to clear the zone with efficiency has been crucial.
The hit by Beecher was routine, but Tanev clearly was in pain as he made his way off the ice and then to the Leafs dressing room.
In 56 games with the Leafs before Tuesday, the 35-year-old Tanev had two goals and 15 assists and led Toronto with a plus-27 mark. He and Jake McCabe have formed a strong, shutdown duo on the blue line.
More to come …
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