If there’s hockey on TV, Maple Leafs’ Chris Tanev hits the couch​on April 2, 2025 at 6:19 pm

Chris Tanev parked himself in front of the TV on Tuesday night and settled in for a night of entertainment.

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The Maple Leafs defenceman didn’t log on to his favourite streaming service, however.

Tanev wanted to watch some hockey, as has become his viewing habit. The veteran doesn’t mind taking the job home with him.

“I enjoy watching games,” Tanev said. “I think as the older you get … maybe when I was mid-to-late 20s, I was like, ‘I’m too cool to watch games.’

“But now I watch a ton. You’re always seeing what other teams are doing and how they’re playing, and know what to expect. There’s a lot of good players every night. If you have the ability to learn a little thing here or there, it can go a long way.”

Specifically, Tanev made sure he checked in on the match between the Florida Panthers and the Montreal Canadiens. Had the Panthers won, the Leafs would have clinched a playoff spot.

Instead, Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki tied the game with nine seconds remaining in the third period and scored at 29 seconds of overtime to give Montreal a 3-2 win.

“A good game, tight-checking game,” Tanev said. “(The Panthers) always play the right way. There’s zero cheat in their game. They’re going to give you an honest 100% effort every time, so you need to expect that and be ready for that.”

That game might’ve been a little bit of advance scouting as well, with Florida in town on Wednesday for a big Atlantic Division matchup with the Maple Leafs.

tkoshan@postmedia.com

X: @koshtorontosun

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