Maple Leafs' Chris Tanev Doing His Own Scouting, Watching Rival Club Closely Ahead of Playoffs

The Toronto Maple Leafs earned an impressive 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers on Wednesday. While they only needed one point to clinch a playoff spot, the win allowed them to extend their lead in the Atlantic Division even further.

The Panthers are undoubtedly a team to watch in the Eastern Conference. They play a strong, hard-hitting game and are the defending Stanley Cup champions.

Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev has already begun his own little scouting routine, specifically noting that the Panthers are one of the teams he keeps an eye on, speaking highly of their style of play.

As per Mark Masters on X:

While the Leafs and Panthers appear unlikely to meet in Round 1 of the playoffs, a Round 2 matchup is certainly possible. That's why it's a good idea, from Tanev's standpoint, to keep a close eye on them and look for holes in the armor.

Tanev was a very smart addition for a team like the Maple Leafs. He plays hard, loves to block shots, and provides valuable defensive stability and leadership. When Tanev was sidelined due to injury, the Leafs' defensive corps clearly struggled without him.

While Tanev isn't a major point producer, having recorded 17 points in 68 games this season, he is known for his elite level shot-blocking ability. This season, he has blocked 176 shots, ranking fourth in the league despite missing time due to injury.

As the playoff picture takes shape, Tanev and the Maple Leafs will look to learn a thing or two from the Panthers' style of play to ensure a deep playoff run under Craig Berube in his first season with the team.