Panthers’ Matthew Tkachuk raves about ‘head of the snake’ Chris Tanev ahead of Game 4

There are no real friendships once the puck drops, but there’s some mutual admiration between former teammates Matthew Tkachuk and Chris Tanev ahead of Game 4.

Tkachuk and Tanev spent parts of two seasons together with the Calgary Flames, before the power forward was traded to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Jonathan Huberdeau and Mackenzie Weegar in a franchise-altering deal. Tkachuk is now an established member of the Panthers’ core, and he raved about the Toronto Maple Leafs’ defenceman prior to Game 4 on Sunday morning.

“He’s been somebody who I’ve known very, very well going back to Calgary,” Tkachuk said about Tanev. “I’m very impressed with how’s he played. I’ve always said how great a player he is for years. To see him at this stage and continue to do it, year after year, it’s incredible.

“He’s kind of like the head of the snake back there on their back end. He’s their leader. We’re not inside the walls of their room. You can tell by the way he conducts himself and talks to the team and leads by example. I’ve seen it. It’s no surprise to see what he’s doing now. I don’t know if we’re wearing them down or anything like that.”

Tanev has been instrumental to the Leafs’ transformation into an elite defensive club under Craig Berube’s supervision. The 35-year-old is a premier shot-blocker and is a key part of the team’s first pairing alongside Jake McCabe, the third-most used pairing in the playoffs overall at 5-on-5. Tanev has recorded a goal and three points in nine playoff games, and has been a stabilizing force on the back end.

Now he’s going against a Panthers team that boasts plenty of high-end skill, with an unmatched ability to agitate their opponents.

“He’s a competitor, and he’s extremely skilled,” Tanev said about Tkachuk prior to Game 4. “He’s a really smart player, he always puts himself in a great position to make the next play. He’s really good at that.”

Tkachuk has registered two assists in three games, but hasn’t really made his mark on this series yet, while Tanev has continued to block shots and win puck battles at will for his club. There’s a mutual admiration society between both teams, with the Leafs boasting three members from last year’s Cup-winning side, but this becomes moot once the series restarts. Game 4 could be an instant classic, with Tkachuk and Tanev refusing to back down, with their friendship out of the picture.