Chris Tanev Set to Break Impressive Single Season Record in First Year with Maple Leafs

Since returning from an upper-body injury, Chris Tanev has picked up right where he left off, blocking shots and far exceeding any expectations Leafs fans had heading into the season.

Entering Saturday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Tanev has an opportunity to break a 20-year-old franchise record -- something the 35-year-old was completely unaware of. His response to the prompt about potentially breaking the record said it all with the playoffs looming.

Tanev needs just one more block to break Carl Gunnarsson's single-season record for Leafs defencemen which he set in the 2013-2014 season.

Unfortunately, Tanev will have to do it without his usual defensive partner, as Jake McCabe is out with an upper-body injury.

The Toronto-born, undrafted defenseman has built a pretty impressive career on sacrificing his body and being a stabilizing defensive presence, and this season, he trails just Ian Cole, Rasmus Andersson and Jacob Trouba in blocked shots with 176.

While Tanev will likely set the record in the first period on Saturday night, he and the Leafs will look to build on their lead atop of the Atlantic Division and avoid a third loss to the Blue Jackets this season.