Head coach Sheldon Keefe has confirmed that the Toronto Maple Leafs will not insert forward Michael Bunting back into the lineup for Game 5 of their first round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. On Wednesday during practice, Bunting was the odd man out and will be a healthy scratch for Game 5 despite being eligible to return from his three-game suspension for his hit on Bolts defenseman Erik Cernak.
“He will get back in. It’s just not going to be tomorrow,” said Keefe after practice.
However, Bunting was available for media after practice and explained how he got in contact with Cernak after Game 1 and the hit that has taken the blue liner out of the series. The forward told reporters he texted Cernak to check on his after the contest, per Kristen Shilton.
“We’ve butted heads a few times. But it’s very unfortunate what happened; obviously I never want to see someone get hurt in this game.”
When asked about being a possible healthy scratch for Game 5, in which the Maple Leafs could move to the second round with a win, Bunting isn’t afraid of having to fight for his spot back into the lineup.
“I want to be impactful, I want to play my game and do things that help our team. There’s a little adversity for me here, but you know what, I’ve gone through adversity my whole life and I made it here.”
It remains to be seen what the Maple Leafs’ lineup will look like for Game 5, but it has to be reassuring for them to know that Bunting was remorseful to the point of contacting Cernak after Game 1.
However, the stats are undeniable in Games 2, 3 and 4 for the Leafs in their first round series as they average 5.33 goals without Bunting in the series. And in Bunting’s absence, the Maple Leafs shown some rare composure, which has benefited them and could finally lead them to Round 2 of the postseason.
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