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.

Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev has been knocked out of Saturday night's game against the New York Rangers after seemingly suffering an injury. Tanev was shaken up after he blocked a shot with the wrong part of his body, seemingly taking the puck to the side of his leg where there is very little padding to reduce the impact of the shot.

Through five games, the 34-year-old Tanev has been supplying the kind of integral hockey that general manager Brad Treliving coveted before acquiring his rights from the Dallas Stars and then signing the Toronto native to a six-year contract on July 1.

Chris Tanev's willingness to put his body on the line was well-known long before he joined the Maple Leafs. His new teammates got their first up-close look at the toll it takes — and the veteran defenceman's toughness.