Chris Tanev Sighting On Thursday Not Promising for Dallas Stars

This sleuth's picture was going viral for all the wrong reasons in Dallas on Thursday afternoon, as key Stars' defenseman Chris Tanev was seen in a walking boot at the Edmonton airport.

Chris Tanev in his walking boot #nhl @nhl #dallasstars #edmontonoilers #nhlplayoffs #tanev pic.twitter.com/BVCW4fOFwN
— Mason Katcherin (@MKatcherin) May 30, 2024

Tanev blocked a shot with his right foot in the second period of Game 4 on Wednesday night, and hobbled off the ice in pain. He never returned, and a 2-2 tie went downhill for Dallas from there, with the Edmonton Oilers pulling away for a 5-2 win to even the series at two games apiece.

Chris Tanev has gone to the Stars dressing room after blocking a shot. pic.twitter.com/FbwQCPA1AC
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 30, 2024

Tanev has been a huge addition to the Stars' blueline since coming over in a trade deadline deal. In 17 games in these playoffs, he's a +6, with a ridiculous 68 blocked shots. In the regular season, Tanev topped the 200-block plateau, with 207, tying him for 3rd in the NHL.

And that, in a nutshell, sums up the pros and cons of a Chris Tanev. He'll throw his body in front of a moving truck if necessary for his team, but he'll take his share of injuries because of it. He's topped the 70-game mark only twice in the last nine seasons, though he did play 75 this year.

But at this most crucial juncture in the Western Conference Finals, the Stars would be in tough to outlast the Oilers if Tanev is forced to miss any significant time.

For now, the last word we have from Dallas coach Pete DeBoer, as of postgame, is “Fingers crossed he’ll be good for next game.”

That will come up quickly, Friday night at American Airlines Center in Big D. Will their 'Big D' shot-blocker be ready to go?