Calgary Flames’ Chris Tanev returns to ice after taking a puck to the face Monday
Posted Nov 29, 2023 2:41 pm.
Everyone who saw it on Monday winced in pain: Chris Tanev blocked a shot with his face, and he was rushed off the Saddledome ice.
But, the blueliner was back at Flames practice Wednesday.
The damage? A dozen stitches in his chin after the block versus Vegas, and as fans have likely seen — the 33-year-old already has a toothless smile, given his style of play — but admits he’d like a redo of his block attempt in Monday’s win.
“Probably not the smartest play, to do that, but it was the only way I was going to get in front of the puck because it’s coming across the net from that way,” he said to reporters Wednesday. “So, when you look back at it, probably not the smartest play to do but, thankfully I just got cut and nothing else, to be honest.
“Just trying to do whatever it takes to not get scored on.”
Chris Tanev – an absolute warrior. pic.twitter.com/FHaG0MM0PB
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) November 29, 2023
“We were quite worried when it happened,” Tanev added. “Medical staff did a great job of lining up everything I needed to do yesterday to make sure my jaw wasn’t broken and that stuff.
“Thankfully, everything came back positive and [we] just move forward from there.”
He adds his role is to do whatever it takes not to get scored on.
A six-game homestand continues Thursday versus Dallas.
