Michael Bunting Suspended three games by the NHL Player Safety Authority Thursday (7 p.m. ET; ESPN, CBC, SN, TVAS, BSSUN).
Maple Leafs forward sanctioned for illegal head checks and interference with Lightning defense Eric Sernak when they lost 7-3 in Game 1 on Tuesday.
The incident occurred at 15:40 in the second period. Bunting was given a five-minute match penalty for an illegal check to his head. The Lightning then scored two goals on the ensuing power play. Corey Perry and center braden pointleading 6-2.
Sernak left the game and did not return. Tampa Bay coach John Cooper said Wednesday the defense will not be in Game 2.
The Maple Leafs have lost the first round in each of their past six seasons, and last season they lost seven in a row to Tampa Bay despite holding a 3-2 series lead. Toronto has not won a series in the Stanley Cup playoffs since his 2004, his last win being in 1967.
With no bunting available, Jaan Krok Road replaced him on the left wing on the center line Auston Matthews and right wing Mitchell Marner at practice on Wednesday.
Ryan O’reilly It was the center along with the left wing Matthew Kennysa right winger who could make his Stanley Cup playoff debut in Game 2 Noel Acchari. John Tavaresplayed left wing in Game 1 alongside O’Reilly and right wing William Nylandermove to the center between the left wings Alexander Carfoot and Nylander.
4th row center David Kamp between the left wing Zach Aston Reese and right wing Sam Lafferty remained the same.
“Our bottom six (forwards) didn’t have a great day yesterday, so we haven’t made a line-up in terms of what we’re going to look like tomorrow,” Keough said Wednesday. “I wanted John to get some reps back to the center. He hasn’t been that way all week. If we move things around, I want him to get comfortable there.” I’d like to, but I haven’t made the final decision, so don’t read too much into how we’re doing today.”
A second-round (57th) pick by the Maple Leafs in the 2021 NHL Draft, Kunies has one assist in three regular-season games after signing with Toronto after his sophomore season at the University of Minnesota. Did.
“Tampa is a competitive team, the playoffs are a different animal, much more physical, much faster,” Nice said of what he learned from watching Game 1. A very valuable lesson for this team.
“It would be great[to play in Game 2]. It’s every kid’s dream to play in the playoffs and play in the Stanley Cup. So to be a part of that is very exciting and exciting. right”
O’Reilly said he was very impressed with Knies, who has scored 42 points (21 goals and 21 assists) in 40 games at Minnesota this season since joining the Maple Leafs on April 9.
“He’s a great kid, he works hard and you can see his skill set is incredible. The way he handles the puck and the play he makes there is exciting to play with him. “Hopefully we can produce a lot and be a tough line to play against, but hopefully we can contribute offensively.” I was very impressed with him and he will have a long NHL career.”
Keef confirmed that Ilya SamsonovHe allowed six goals on 29 shots before being pulled out at the end of the second period. Joseph Wal Stopped 4 of 5 shots in Tuesday’s third period.
NHL.com Independent Correspondent Dave McCarthy contributed to this report.
