A war of attrition has already broken out between the Maple Leafs and Lightning.
After Tampa defenseman Victor Hedman left Game 1 of the playoff series on Tuesday, a hit by Toronto winger Michael Bunting thinned the Lightning's defense even more by sending Erik Cernak to the locker room.
Bunting was ejected for the hit, and a five-minute major penalty was assessed in what was already an ugly performance by the Maple Leafs.
Michael Bunting has received a 5-minute match penalty for an illegal check to the head on Erik Cernak. pic.twitter.com/aY8TnNZgWl
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 19, 2023
The penalty quickly cost Toronto, as the Lightning scored two more power-play goals before the end of the period to turn a 4-2 lead into a commanding 6-2 lead. It may cost the Maple Leafs even more if Bunting faces a suspension from the league.
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Here's what you need to know about why Bunting was sent off in Game 1.
Why was Michael Bunting ejected vs. Lightning?
After initially being handed a five-minute major penalty, Bunting received a match penalty for what was ruled an illegal check to Cernak's head.
Replay showed that Bunting threw his left arm right into Cernak's head, and he immediately put his arms out to defend the hit as Cernak went down. Officials determined that the contact with Cernak's head was targeted, so Bunting was sent off the ice for the rest of the night.
Just incredibly dumb by Bunting. Can't blame this one on the refs.
— Down Goes Brown (@DownGoesBrown) April 19, 2023
The hit left the Lightning without two key defenseman, considering Hedman already left the game earlier, and it could possibly leave the Maple Leafs without a 23-goal scorer for Game 2 if the NHL decides to suspend Bunting.
Bunting has had an especially contentious relationship with referees during his time with the Maple Leafs. That's unlikely to change if he truly does feel that the hit on Cernak didn't warrant an ejection.
