Maple Leafs scratch Bunting, keep same lineup for Game 5 vs. Lightning

TORONTO – The Toronto Maple Leafs won’t mess with a winning lineup in Game 5, even if it comes at the expense of Michael Bunting’s in-game anxiety.

“Watching’s stressful. Very stressful up there,” says Bunting, who will sit out a fourth consecutive playoff game. “I’m obviously not able to have control of the game. It’s almost worse. I was more nervous watching than playing. But the guys have responded great. Three in a row, that’s unbelievable. I'm just trying to be a great teammate, cheer the boys on, help any way I can, and not be a distraction.”

Bunting was slapped with a three-game suspension when his illegal check to Erik Cernak’s head knocked one of the Tampa Bay Lightning’s top-three defencemen out of the series (so far).

But even though Bunting has served his time, he’ll remain in the press box, where it’s easier to intake calories than burn them.

Sheldon Keefe informed Bunting — a two-time 23-goal scorer and one of just four Leafs to play all 82 regular-season games — that he’ll be a healthy scratch Thursday as Toronto attempts to win its first playoff series in 19 years.

“We’re comfortable with the group that’s won three games in a row,” Keefe said, following Wednesday’s high-tempo practice.

The coach’s message to the player?

“He will get back in. It’s just not going to be tomorrow.”

Bunting is a fierce competitor doing his best to remain positive and professional.

“They made their decision, and I gotta live with it. Not much more I can do,” Bunting said.

“Listen. I want to play. I want to be in the lineup. And that's what I intend on doing in the future here. I want to be impactful. I want to play my game and do things that has helped our team make the playoffs. So, that's what I plan on doing.

“And 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. So, it's just another day for me.”

It’s also another day where Cernak (presumably concussed) was not well enough to skate with his teammates in Tampa.

Surely, the hard-nosed defender could’ve helped his club’s efforts to clear up some of the net-front screens and tips that the Leafs are using to foil Andrei Vasilevskiy.

Bunting says he texted Cernak following the check but wishes to keep the details of that exchange private.

“I wish him the fastest recovery,” Butning said.

“I have a lot of respect for him. He’s a great defenceman. He plays hard. He plays the game right. We’ve butted heads a few times. It's very unfortunate what happened.

“Obviously, I never want to see someone get hurt and miss games. I just tried to create space for myself. I was kind of expecting contact from him, but that time he wasn't going in for contact, and the rest happened.

“I never intend to hurt anyone out there, and that's not my game. I played over eight years, 500 games in pro, and I've never had a suspension. So, yeah, that's not my game.”

Bunting, remember, was skating at less than 100 per cent in last year’s series, and now he’s missing the bulk of this year’s rematch.

His teammates have voiced their encouragement, and he has leaned on the injured Jake Muzzin, a press box regular now, for support: “I can’t thank him enough.”

Left wing Matthew Knies entered the series as a third-liner upon Bunting’s suspension, and will be promoted to the top six for Game 5.

The confident rookie joins John Tavares and Mitch Marner on the second line, while Auston Matthews centres a top unit flanked by Calle Järnkrok and William Nylander.

“It means a lot,” Knies beams, regarding his elevated offensive role. “Two special players who have unreal experience in the league and are terrific, complete players. So, it's a privilege and a pleasure to play with those guys.”

Keefe likes the balance of his new skill-drenched top six and his defensively responsible bottom six. Bunting’s best attributes come out in the offensive zone, yet Toronto is humming along, scoring 4.75 goals per game, tops among all 16 playoff teams.

“Obviously his situation opened the door for someone like Matthew Knies to come in, and he did a terrific job for us, and the chemistry of the rest of the group just makes sense,” says Keefe, a fast fan of the 20-year-old.

“You like that he’s skating with it, plays in his head up. He’s created some great scoring opportunities for others because he plays that way. And he's not intimidated in any way of the opposition in terms of the physicality or the pace. Doesn't affect his game, his mindset. So, he makes you very comfortable to keep playing him.”

Even if, for now, it comes at the expense of Bunting, suddenly the unlucky 13th forward.

“Be a good teammate. Be a pro. Wait for number to be called,” Bunting says.

“There’s a lot more games to be played, and I’ll be in them.”

The Maple Leafs host the Lightning in Game 5 — with a chance to win a series for the first time since 2004 — Thursday night on Sportsnet and SN NOW. The puck will drop just after 7 p.m. ET/ 4 p.m. PT.