Toronto Maple Leafs Do Not Appear Ready For Bunting To Return

The Toronto Maple Leafs practiced Wednesday morning and despite Michael Bunting’s suspension coming to an end it appears as though he will not draw back into the line-up for Game 5.

Bunting received a five-minute major and game misconduct for a Match Penalty on an injury that left Erik Černák with a concussion.  The Toronto Maple Leafs would end up losing the game 7-3 to fall behind in the series to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The NHL Department of Player safety, also known as George Parros, came to the decision to suspended the Scarborough native three games.

Meanwhile, Černák has yet to return to the Tampa Bay line-up and the Maple Leafs, for now have taken control of the series.

Toronto Maple Leafs Appear Ready to Sit Bunting

During the three games without Bunting and despite not playing their best hockey, the Toronto Maple Leafs have won each of the contests, including both games in Tampa Bay.

Bunting is now eligible to get back into the playoff series, however Mark Masters tweeted out the clubs practice lines during Wednesday mornings skate and the two-time 20-goal scorer was not on one of the active lines for Game 5.  Instead, Bunting was skating as a spare alongside Wayne Simmonds.

Matthew Knies was the player that benefitted from Bunting’s suspension as the 20-year was able to get into the line-up and has averaged over 15 minutes of ice-time per game.

Despite not scoring and collecting just one assist, Knies has shown a lot of upside and potentially saved the team in Game 4 when he pulled a puck off the Maple Leafs goal line.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will look to close out the series on Thursday night, but as many of the players have said that fourth win is the hardest.  If Tampa Bay is able to win and bring the series back to Florida, expect Bunting to draw back in the line-up, but not for Knies as it will likely be for Sam Lafferty.  The Trade Deadline acquisition has averaged just over 11 minutes of ice-time and while he has not looked bad, there is more upside to Bunting’s game.

The Maple Leafs and Lightning start time for Game 5 is 7PM EST on Thursday evening.  The Maple Leafs will take their 1-10 record when trying to close out series and try to get over the hump.