Leafs’ Michael Bunting to have hearing for illegal check to head, interference

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting was assessed a match penalty for a check to the head of Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak during the second period of Tuesday’s playoff game at Scotiabank Arena.

The incident occurred at the 15:40 mark of the second period of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series between the two teams. The Lightning scored two more goals before the second intermission to take a 6–2 lead over the Maple Leafs.

Bunting, 27, did not record a point in 8:32 of ice time before being ejected from the game. The Scarborough, Ont. product collected 23 goals and 49 points in 82 games with the Maple Leafs during the regular season.

The NHL Department of Player Safety automatically reviews all match penalties. Cernak had to be helped off the ice after the hit and did not return to the game during the second period.

The Bolts took a 3–0 lead in the first period of Game 1 before surrendering back-to-back goals to Ryan O’Reilly and William Nylander midway through the second. After Brayden Point restored Tampa’s two-goal cushion, Corey Perry and Point scored during Bunting’s penalty time to give the Lightning a 6–2 lead after 40 minutes.

Lightning skaters Victor Hedman, Mikey Eyssimont, and Cernak all made early exits from Game 1 after suffering apparent injuries. Hedman logged 6:35 in the first period before leaving the game; Eysimmont exited after being on the receiving end of a huge hit from Jake McCabe during the second period. Tampa Bay has yet to issue any status updates on their three injured players.

With one period still left to play between the Lightning and Maple Leafs, it appears Tampa Bay is on the verge of taking a 1–0 series lead. These two teams will return to action at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday for Game 2 of their quarterfinal playoff series.

UPDATE

The Department of Player Safety has elected to schedule a hearing with Bunting on Wednesday related to his hit on Cernak, the league announced Tuesday evening.

The league classified the hearing as being related to both an illegal check to the head and interference.