Chris Tanev left in the second period after blocking a shot but returned shortly after the second intermission.

The block came during a Maple Leafs penalty kill when Mika Zibanejad fired a one-timer, which appeared to go off the outside of Tanev's right knee. The defenseman exited the ice immediately and needed assistance from Toronto staff to get to the Maple Leafs' room.

Since arriving in the organization, Tanev has been one of Toronto's top defensemen. He's played alongside Morgan Rielly on the Maple Leafs' top defense pairing, averaging nearly 20 minutes per game.

Morgan Rielly, Jake McCabe, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson all have averaged more ice time than Tanev since the regular season began.

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The 35-year-old has the most blocks on Toronto with 13 through three games.

Tanev signed a six-year, $27 million contract with the Maple Leafs on July 1 after the organization acquired his negotiation rights for a 2026 seventh-round pick and Max Ellis on June 29 from the Dallas Stars.

Related: ‘I Feel Like Our Games Gel Pretty Well’: Maple Leafs Defenseman Chris Tanev Excited About Potential Defensive Pairing with Morgan Rielly

The defenseman split last season between the Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars and was tied for third among players in blocks with 207 in 75 games.

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