Michael Bunting suspension details: Maple Leafs winger hit with ban for hit on Lightning's Erik Cernak

Bryan Murphy

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Michael Bunting suspension details: Maple Leafs winger hit with ban for hit on Lightning's Erik Cernak image

Game 1 could not have gone much worse for the Maple Leafs against the Lightning, and the club will be down a player heading Game 2. 

Leafs forward Michael Bunting met with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Wednesday after he was ejected from Tuesday's contest for a blindside hit to the head of Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak. 

The 27-year-old Toronto winger received a match penalty on the play and Tampa Bay was awarded a five-minute power play. 

Cernak left the game and did not return. He was one of three Lightning players injured during Game 1, joining defenseman Victor Hedman and forward Michael Eyssimont. 

Bunting finished the game with just 8:32 of ice time and one shot on goal. 

Here's a look at when Bunting will be able to return to the ice for the Maple Leafs.

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Michael Bunting suspension details

Bunting was handed a three-game suspension after a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety.

While a hearing did not guarantee that a ban was coming, it did result in a multi-game suspension for Bunting as the league came down hard on him. 

Not only will Toronto be without Bunting for Game 2, it also won't have him for Games 3 and 4 of the best-of-seven series. The Maple Leafs are already facing a 1-0 series deficit and will play Games 3 and 4 in Tampa. 

Michael Bunting suspension history

While Bunting has gained a negative reputation around the league for his play, he has never been suspended before in his NHL career. 

The lone time he was disciplined by the Department of Player Safety was during the 2021-22 season when he fined $2,000 for embellishment. 

When is Maple Leafs vs. Lightning Game 2?

  • Date: Thursday, April 20
  • Time: 7 p.m. ET

These two sides don't have to wait long to get back after it.

Leafs vs. Lightning Game 2 puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 20. 

The game is being held at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

Bryan Murphy

Bryan Murphy Photo

Bryan Murphy joined The Sporting News in 2022 as the NHL/Canada content producer. Previously he worked for NBC Sports on their national news desk reporting on breaking news for the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL, in addition to covering the 2020 and 2022 Olympic Games. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, he spent time in college as a beat reporter covering the men’s ice hockey team.