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Maple Leafs get a much needed boost back in the lineup
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Toronto is heading back home to take on Pittsburgh before the holiday break, and will finally get Chris Tanev back in the lineup after being out for over a month.
In a time where there isn't much good news to come out of the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, the team is at least getting a big boost in the lineup when they face Pittsburgh on Tuesday.
The Maple Leafs announced that defenseman Chris Tanev has been activated off the IR and is going to be in the lineup on Tuesday afternoon, with Craig Berube confirming we'll see him back in action:
It's a huge boost to a lineup desperately needing some defensive help after being outscored on their latest road trip by a 14-4 margin, and hopefully Tanev can help stop the bleeding.
He will line up on the third pairing with Oliver Ekman-Larsson, while Simon Benoit gets scratched in his place:
It will be interesting to see how Bobby McMann and Max Domi fare up top with Auston Matthews, as Craig Berube makes more lineup changes to spread things out.
Tanev's return a small bright spot in dark period for Maple Leafs
With the tension heavy in Toronto, especially after Marc Savard's firing, there's a lot to feel down about if you're part of the Maple Leafs but seeing Tanev back has to at least give the team a little bit more confidence.
It also helps they are playing Pittsburgh; a team they have been actually pretty good against compared to the rest of the league. They are 2-0-0 this year and have outscored the Penguins 11-5 in that span.
Tanev has been out since Nov. 1 after being hit from behind by Flyers forward Matvei Michkov. He was subsequently stretchered off the ice and things looked scary initially. After weeks of speculation, second opinions, and inconsistent updates; he's finally back.
Skating in only eight games this season, Tanev has two assists and a plus-five rating in 17:20 TOI.
It's unknown where Tanev is going to line up, whether that be with his old partner Jake McCabe (who has been very solid with Troy Stecher) or if they are going to ease him back on the third pair.
Either way, they are going to need to have him at his best Tuesday afternoon. Pittsburgh is motivated right now after ending their eight-game losing streak with a 4-3 shootout win; and riding high off Sidney Crosby's historic milestone.
All we can hope for is that the Maple Leafs are doing the right thing and not putting Tanev in more danger, because if they lose him for a third time then he might be out for good.