Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev not interested in celebrating his highlight reel play following loss to Washington Capitals, showcasing his winning attitude.

The Toronto Maple Leafs suffered a 3-1 defeat to the Washington Capitals on Friday night in a matchup between two of the top teams in the league this season.

One bright spot in the game, however, was an incredible breakaway goal by John Tavares, set up by a remarkable saucer pass from veteran defenseman Chris Tanev.

The play was worthy of some praise, given the difficulty, but when Tanev was asked about the perfect tape-to-tape aerial pass, his response was unexpectedly blunt.
“Who cares? We lost.”

Tanev’s reaction speaks volumes about his priorities. Clearly, he values the team’s success over individual achievements. This mindset aligns with his playing style, which is focused on defense as he is currently ranked second in the league in blocked shots with 78.

Off the ice, Tanev’s character is just as impressive. Although he joined the Maple Leafs just this summer, he has already made a strong impact in the community, volunteering and engaging with fans.

Despite his defense-first, hard-nosed playing style — one that has often led to injuries in the past — Tanev has been lucky enough to avoid injury, suiting up in 26 games this season. At 34 years old, his durability has been a pleasant surprise, considering the type of game he plays.

Tanev is an excellent role model for the team. Hopefully, his comments about the goal will inspire the Maple Leafs to refocus and get back into the win column on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.