The Leafs are back in Toronto and back on the ice for a full practice before Game 5 tomorrow night when they hope to eliminate the Lightning. The biggest story in the practice has been whether or not Michael Ponting will find his way back into the lineup on Thursday. And as of now, Magic Eightball says “The outlook is not good.”
Keefe in a letter to Bunting: The message was that he would be back, not tomorrow.
– David Alter (@dalter) April 26, 2023
Michael Ponting is eligible to return from suspension in Game 5, but based on practice he expects to be a healthy first-time scratch as a Leaf. @employee
Mark Masters April 26, 2023
So there’s a lot going on with the Bunting situation and we’ll talk about that before we get into the Leafs lines.
The decision to scratch Bunting seemed to be a popular one, and frankly there was a very difficult stretch in March and April in which there were really some people questioning how valuable Bunting was to the Leafs and to the top six. Personally, I hope so because as far as the Leafs win, there are a few things to consider. First, the Leafs have been poorly outplayed for most of the last two games and have relied heavily on the top six wanting the Leafs back in the game. There is also consideration to be given to Bunting being a better option than Aston-Reese or Lafferty from a skill perspective.
Arguments about Bunting’s lack of discipline are really based on modernity bias and even though he’s not the favorite player of NHL officials making him out in favor of fourth line forwards who equally have undisciplined moments when the superiority seems a little odd. If Toronto were dominant with their wins, this decision would make more sense, but it looks like Keefe might consider this.
As for Knies, he has certainly benefited from Bunting’s departure, and it now looks like he could start in the Leafs’ top six. Knies may still be fine-tuning in the NHL but he’s one step ahead of the others when it comes to playing in the defensive zone and with Keefe finally flipping Nylander and Marner, Marner gives Toronto another capable forward who can defend on the Tavares line that will hopefully click.
Nylander and Jarnkrok with Matthews seem to be no brainers either after the final period and overtime against Tampa in Game 4.
Alex Kerfoot finds himself moved up to the third row and that’s where I’ve always wanted to be. There are elements of Kerfoot very similar to O’Reilly’s frequent colleague at St. Louis. Louis linemate, David Perron, and the third line in the neutral zone are promoted while not being traded much.
The fourth streak, for now, appears to remain intact, but they are under the microscope as Keefe is still deciding who will come up for Bunting perfectly in the second round, but it will likely be a Game Six.
Michael Bunting: “My job is to be a good fellow in all respects. That’s what I’m going to keep doing, and I’m going to wait for my number to be called.”
He adds that he texted Eric Cernac after the first game.
– Joshua Locke (@joshuakloke) April 26, 2023
Injury updates
Matt Murray is already on the ice. But not with the main group. on a separate pillow.
– David Alter (@dalter) April 26, 2023
Matt Murray wasn’t part of the full Leafs training, so we’re still living in the world of backup Joseph Wall for the time being. This isn’t something that bothers me at all, and while Samsonov left the practice early, it’s not out of the ordinary, so don’t freak out.
Mete joins the main session for a workout, too.
– David Alter (@dalter) April 26, 2023
Victor Mitty was in full Leafs training, skating Toronto’s fifth pairing with Conor Timmins. Mete’s availability doesn’t change much for the Leafs but it’s good for him to be back on the ice.
Lightning lines:
#GoBolts Practice your lines today before you fly to Toronto for Game 5:
Stamkos Point Kucherov
Hagel Cirelli Killorn
Colton Paul Ginot
Maron Bellmar Perry
Eyssimont Drawing inHedman Berbics
Sergachev Radish
Cole Bogosian
fluorescent drawing in– Edward A. Oak (@EddieInTheYard) April 26, 2023
It looks like the Lightning are looking to overload their top line and trust the rest of their forwards to be tiring in the ass for Toronto the rest of the way. It will be interesting to see if the Leafs’ recently garnered defensive upgrade third line in Kerfoot, along with the McCabe-Brodie coupling gets stapled to that unit with Toronto making the latest change or if Sheldon Keefe just gets more comfortable with dictation. speed when he can.