TORONTO — 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.

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.

The Toronto Maple Leafs did not want to see this. 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,