Toronto Maple Leafs: Should Michael Bunting Be Playing in Game 5?

The suspension of Toronto Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting is complete.

Bunting received the three-game suspension for his hit on Tampa Bay defenseman Erik Cernak during game one. The Toronto Maple Leafs announced yesterday that he won’t be playing in Game 5.

The Leafs replaced Bunting with prospect Matthew Knies and he isn’t coming out of the lineup.

Knies registered one assist, nine hits, three takeaways, and one giveaway, not to mention a game-saving stop on defense. The 20-year-old prospect has had his share of scoring chances and hasn’t looked out of place. He’s played so well that Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe now has a tough decision to make.  (stats nhl.com).

With Toronto winning all three games while Bunting was absent and holding a 3-1 series lead, should Bunting play in game five? The Leafs have said that he won’t, but until the puck drops, nothing is official.  And if they aren’t playing games and actually do plan to sit Bunting, is that the best move?

Calle Jarnkrok is playing well with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Alex Kerfoot is the overtime hero from game four, and Knies is playing too well to remove.

I think Keefe should roll with the lineup that has won three games in a row. There is no denying that Bunting is talented, but can Keefe trust Bunting to be disciplined? Bunting and the Maple Leafs coaching staff should know that the Tampa Bay Lightning will try to get under Bunting’s skin and force him to retaliate. The team can’t afford to let an undisciplined Bunting overreact and do something that could cost them the game and the chance to win the series.

Toronto Maple Leafs Must Win Game Five

If there is one lesson the Toronto Maple Leafs should have learned from their first-round series against the Lightning last year is that you can’t allow them back into the series. Should the Maple Leafs fail to win game five, the Lightning will head home for game six with momentum. The Leafs will need to do everything they can to win game five and finish the series.

This year’s Toronto Maple Leafs are proving to everyone that they should never be counted out until the final buzzer. It would be nice if they could get an early lead and keep it. However, if they find themselves trailing, they’ve shown the will and determination to claw their way back. Hopefully, they won’t need to claw their way back in game five.

Game five will be on Thursday, April 27th, at 7:00 pm. Let’s hope the Toronto Maple Leafs are as ready as the fans are.