Maple Leafs activate Chris Tanev from injured reserve to play Penguins on Tuesday

Head coach Craig Berube confirmed the news in a conversation with the media on Tuesday.

“Tanev is in,” Berube said.

Tanev’s return couldn’t come at a better (or worse) time for the Leafs. They have lost five of their last six games, they just fired their power play coach after their performance with the man advantage fell to last in the NHL, and they are currently at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. For much of the past two months, the Leafs have been without Tanev, who was injured on Nov. 1 against the Philadelphia Flyers. Head coach Craig Berube confirmed ahead of the game on Tuesday that Tanev will be back in the lineup for their game against the Penguins.

Berube was then asked what helped them make that decision, to which he replied that he was referring to their conversations with team doctors, but said it was ultimately Tanev’s decision.

“Doctors communicate with him, but ultimately it comes down to his decision.”

Tanev has been injured twice this season. The first came after a nasty collision with Dawson Mercer of the New Jersey Devils, and the second came after his return to the lineup just ten days later. He collided with Flyers forward Matvei Michkov and the injury kept him out of the lineup for the next seven weeks.

Tanev’s injury was the first domino to fall in a season that saw many key players miss time through injuries. The veteran defensive back has two assists in eight games on the season, but it is his impact on the defensive side of the puck that is sorely missed.

The Leafs will look to get some positive momentum in their favor as they look to pick up two points against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday afternoon.

PRESENTED BY OFF THE ROSTER