Leafs’ Tanev exits game against Flyers on stretcher

Tanev stayed down after the impact and received medical attention before being placed on the stretcher. He was able to flash a thumbs-up signal to the crowd on his way out.

Before his exit from the game, Tanev recorded an assist and skated to a plus-2 rating in 14:50 of time on the ice. The veteran defenseman is a key stabilizing presence for Toronto’s defensive unit, and at the age of 35, he is in just the second year of a six-year contract that pays him an average of $4.5 million on an annual basis.

Tanev missed the past four games while recovering from the concussion he suffered against New Jersey on October 21. With his return to the lineup, Philippe Myers drew out of the lineup to open up the extra spot on the blue line.

The Maple Leafs went on to earn a 5-2 win over the Flyers on the road to run their record back above NHL .500 to 6-5-1. Toronto had lost three of its last five entering Saturday’s game, and the win marked their first victory by multiple goals since October 14 against Nashville. The win ensured that the Leafs kept pace with Florida and Buffalo in a tie for fifth place in the Atlantic Division.

Toronto will return to home ice on Monday for a game against Pittsburgh that will kick off a four-game homestead that will also feature visits from Utah, Boston and Carolina.