Maple Leafs' Craig Berube makes his feelings known on Chris Tanev returning to Islanders game after taking puck to face

Toronto Maple Leafs’ Chris Tanev is no stranger to taking hits and losing teeth. And on New Year’s Eve, he did both after getting hit in the face by a deflected puck. Coach Craig Berube praised the defenseman’s grit and determination after he returned to the ice despite the painful injury.

"He’s old school for sure and he’s a gamer, all around. He lays it on the line. I was expecting him back sooner than later. He’s a special player with just how he thinks the game and plays the game, not a lot of those guys around anymore. We’re very fortunate to have him,” Berube said.

He was interacting with the media during the postgame presser after the Maple Leafs ground out a 3-1 victory over the New York Islanders.

In response to another question, Berube said he thought Tanev got stitches after the injury.

“Yeah, I think so, yeah. I don't know how many. I didn't ask,” he said.

This is not the first or even the second time that Tanev has lost teeth while out on the ice.

He lost six-and-a-half front teeth after being hit in the face by a deflected puck in 2018 while playing with the Vancouver Canucks. And last season, playing for the Dallas Stars, he had to have a tooth pulled after taking a hit from Nathan MacKinnon.

During the New Year’s Eve game, fans were in awe of the defenseman’s display. There was some good-natured ribbing about the nature of his injury, but the warmth and support hockey fans have for Tanev was clear.

“he’s gotta be running low on teeth by now," a fan said.

Tanev leads the team with 106 blocks after 37 games in the season. He is clearly not afraid to put his body on the line for the team.

“Grinded one out” - Craig Berube on Maple Leafs’ victory

The Maple Leafs HC said the team figured out a way to grind out a result.

"We grinded one out, yeah, for sure," Toronto coach Craig Berube said. "Pretty non-eventful game, but not pretty, but we grinded it out. Our goalie was good and we figured out a way to do it."

Toronto goalie Joseph Woll made 30 saves. Steven Lorentz ended a 23-game drought while David Kampf and John Tavares were the other scorers for the Maple Leafs, while William Nylander had two assists. Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored for the Islanders.

Berube was also noncommittal about the return of Toronto captain Auston Matthews, who has now sat out five straight games because of injury.