Toronto Maple Leafs Michael Bunting Rounding Back Into Form

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting has faced harsh criticism in the last month or so.

The 27-year-old faced backlash from fans and opposing players for taking unnecessary penalties, chirping refs and opponents when it is not required, and his dip in production for the Toronto Maple Leafs as the regular season ended (Bunting only had 2 goals and 2 assists in March).

The cherry on top is his 3-game suspension in game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

In the first round, the Leafs faced off against the Tampa Bay Lightning. In game 1, Bunting delivered a head check to Lightning defenceman Erik Cernak, earning himself a 3-game suspension at the most important time of the year.

However, since returning from the suspension, it appears Bunting has found his game again.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Michael Bunting is Rounding Back Into Form

Michael Bunting’s suspension ended before game 5 of the series, but Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach Sheldon Keefe chose to keep him out of the lineup. Keefe, with his team coming off of 3 straight wins without Bunting, chose not to change his roster, even with Bunting available, who had been a regular top-six forward for the Leafs for most of the season.

After the Leafs lost that game 5, Bunting was added back to the roster for game 6, and he delivered.

He no longer was a liability on the ice, but instead, he was the tenacious, hard-working forward that fans fell in love with during his rookie season.

Bunting didn’t register any points during game 6, but he showed heart, had tons of energy, and produced multiple scoring chances. But most importantly, he seemed to have learned his lesson.

Instead of trying to start fights with star players on opposing teams, or playing the victim in situations that he clearly instigated, Bunting is starting to play a more simple game. He’s making simple checks and simple plays, as well as sticking to his strengths, as opposed to trying to do too much.

On Tuesday, in game 1 of round 2,  Bunting scored his first goal of the playoffs, taking a terrific pass from Calle Jarnkrok, further showing his improved play.

Michael Bunting is a versatile forward who can play on any line, he can play on the powerplay, he can play the body, he scores dirty goals, and he is almost a lock every season to score 20+ goals and 50+ points.

He is a great asset to the Leafs, and almost every other team wants a player like Bunting on their squad.

With Bunting becoming a UFA at the end of this year, his recent strong play can earn him a massive pay raise.

Michael Bunting and the Toronto Maple Leafs play again on Thursday where they hope to even their second-round series with the Florida Panthers.