Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev spit out a tooth after taking a puck to the face during Tuesday's NHL game against the New York Islanders.
It happened at the 6:56 mark of the first period with the game still scoreless. Isles center Mathew Barzal took a turnaround wristr shot from inside the Maple Leafs blue line. The puck was deflected by the stick of Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe in mid-air, over the shoulder of Isles LW Anders Lee and into the face of Tanev, who went down to his knees immediately and covered his face while goaltender Joseph Woll took control of the puck to stop play.
The puck got Tanev under the visor, and he skated off the ice and straight into the locker room with a bloody mouth. Cameras captured Tanev spitting out his tooth before he left the ice.
Chris Tanev nonchalantly takes a puck to the face 😳 pic.twitter.com/B5Dsmv8arF
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 31, 2024
Not only did Tanev return to the game later in the period, but also blocked a few shots and was credited with an assist on the first Maple Leafs goal. Just more proof that hockey players are the toughest athletes in the world of pro sports.
Tanev finished the game with four blocked shots to go along with the assist as the Maple Leafs beat the Islanders 3-1 in the first game of a home-and-home series. They face each other again on Thursday.
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
