The holiday break came at the perfect time for Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Chris Tanev.
Tanev was a late scratch for the Maple Leafs' final game before the break with what the team said was a lower-body injury. But he will return to the lineup for Friday's game against the Detroit Red Wings, the team announced.
Prior to missing Monday's 5-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, Tanev had not missed a game this season, providing stability on the right side of the Leafs blue line.
Tanev has 10 points and is a plus-11 in 34 games, while averaging 19:36 of ice time.
Unfortunately for the Leafs, they will still be without Auston Matthews as head coach Craig Berube announced Friday that the captain will miss the team's next two games as he continues to deal with a lingering injury.
You can watch Tanev and the Maple Leafs take on the Red Wings live on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ starting at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.
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