"While he played just 17:23 and showed the completely expected signs of rust early on (including an extra-large pizza to Anthony Mantha at the end of the first period, bailed out by Joseph Woll), the return of Chris Tanev to the lineup was an uplifting development/vibe shifter amid a dark week in Leafland. Tanev is an emotional leader on the team and a top puck mover and shutdown defender on the blue-line unit."
"Also a major uplift was the real William Nylander standing up. Mired in an 11-game goal-scoring drought and a minus-10 (!) in his last five games, Nylander was engaged, had his legs and confidence with the puck, and was firing on all cylinders offensively. He went on multiple full/partial breakaways largely of his own creation, finished one of them, assisted on two other Leaf goals, and added an empty-netter."
"While it's highly debatable if Philippe Myers should be in the group of six, Tanev's return helps align the Leafs' blue line with three lefties/three righties, which should theoretically improve the ailing puck movement/breakouts off the backend. Most of all, after his scary injury in Philadelphia and the long road to recovery since, it's simply outstanding to see Tanev back competing and doing what he loves."
Maple Leafs entered the pre-Christmas game after firing an assistant coach and sitting last in the Eastern Conference following a three-game losing streak and five losses in six games. Chris Tanev returned, played 17:23, showed early rust but supplied emotional leadership and elite puck-moving, shutdown defending, and chemistry with Jake McCabe while helping balance the blue line. Questions remain about Philippe Myers' place in the top six, but the lefty/righty alignment should aid breakouts. William Nylander snapped an 11-game goal drought, created multiple breakaways, scored, assisted twice, and added an empty-netter. The game was even at five-on-five with minimal special-teams time.
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