On Saturday evening, in the game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Philadelphia Flyers, a serious incident occurred that deeply shocked not only fans, but also colleagues and opponents: defender Chris Tanev had to be carried off the ice on a stretcher after being checked from behind.
In the third period of the game (Toronto won 5:2), with the score 4:1, there was hard physical contact between Tanev and Flyers striker Matvei Michkov. Michkov hit Tanev from behind, causing Tanev to fall face-down toward the ice and remain motionless.
The medical team rushed over, fixed his head and neck, stabilized him and finally took him off the ice on a stretcher. However, Tanev showed a thumbs up, which was at least an initial positive signal.
Scary scene in Philly as Chris Tanev had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher after this collision with Matvei Michkov pic.twitter.com/HZNRQW320l
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) November 2, 2025
Particularly explosive: Tanev had only just returned to the line-up that evening after missing four games due to a concussion.
Head coach Craig Berube commented on the incident with cautious optimism: Tanev was responsive and could move, but was in the hospital for further evaluation. On Sunday it was announced that the 875-time NHLer had left the hospital in Philadelphia and would return to Toronto.
