The Maple Leafs shall be with out winger Michael Bunting for Video games 2, 3 and 4 of their Stanley Cup first-round sequence in opposition to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The NHL’s division of gamers security suspended Bunting three video games for an unlawful hit to the top of Tampa defenceman Erik Cernak within the second interval of the opener. Bunting was assessed a five-minute main and ejected from the sport. Cernak additionally missed the rest of the sport.
Bunting practised as an additional on Wednesday, with coach Sheldon Keefe juggling his strains in anticipation of being with out Bunting, however added the crew would really feel the loss.
“He’s a man who performs with our high gamers and has the flexibility to attain objectives for us, performs with a number of vitality,” Keefe stated of Bunting. “He’s come to be an necessary a part of our crew. He put himself into a nasty spot right here. However now we have choices if wanted and we’ll transfer issues round accordingly.”
Rookie Matthew Knies, who practised on the third line Wednesday, is an choice. Keefe additionally steered he may costume 11 forwards and 7 defenceman, a formation he used regularly down the stretch.
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