Toronto Maple Leafs winger Michael Bunting is set to return to the lineup for Game 5 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. His three-game suspension has now been served, and he will likely return to the ice.
In fact, depending on how the Maple Leafs feel about the penalty kick, they might sit it out on Thursday. I can think of two practical reasons for doing this. However, anger is likely not one of them. Considering how successful Matthew Kniss has been in the business, that fact should mediate any anger that might have been directed at Bunting had the team suffered an even worse fate.
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Bunting is likely to settle back into the lineup
So, despite only scoring one goal over his last eight matches, money-wise Ponting has been put into the squad. In fact, there’s a good chance he’s skating on the top line again with Auston Matthews and maybe Mitch Marner. It’s a bit like having a coach give a player who made a foul on the ice over the board sooner than if he hadn’t fouled.
So, the question that arises on Thursday night is: If (Banting) gets in, who gets out?
Matthew Knies’ play affected Bunting’s comeback
The emergence of Matthew Kneese was a factor in the Maple Leafs’ decision as to whether to keep Bunting in the top row. Knies was playing well. He’s also earned the coaching staff’s trust, which was evident with the fact that he was out on the ice fighting back when the moments were crucial. He also played well with Ryan O’Reilly.
He was playing Alex Kerfoot’s Game 4 winner. It was Knies’ stick that reached for a CD that went into the Maple Leafs net and drove him to a safety. If it were just Knies vs. Bunting, I have a feeling Knies might win. Synagogue was really good.
However, there are other players that the coaching staff may pull to field pennants. But?
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Michael Bunting is an important addition to the Maple Leafs lineup
Bunting has been an important addition to the team since signing him two seasons ago. Although the team won all three games he missed, that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t have been better if he had been in the lineup.
One of the main reasons Bunting is so valuable to the Maple Leafs is that it adds scoring depth to the team’s overall lineup. With Bunkers in the lineup, the Maple Leafs will likely have three strong streaks instead of two. This gives them offensive firepower and makes them harder to defend.
Bunting is hardworking, if not always smart. He is able to create on the ice and he can score. His return to the lineup could greatly improve the Maple Leafs and move the dial slightly toward the team’s ability to succeed.
So, who should drop out of the bunting lineup?
The question now is who should drop out of the lineup to make way for Bunting. NHL’s Eliot Friedman suggests the Maple Leafs are unlikely to take a position. That leaves Alex Kerfoot in, as well as Noah Aciari.
And according to Friedman, one of the most likely candidates is Sam Laverty. He was fast on the ice, but that speed didn’t translate into scoring. Zach Aston-Reese put some points on the board as well as played solid defense. This is the one I would choose to replace for now.
The importance of confidence in a hockey game
In the end, the decision on who to play and who to sit may be up to the most trusted player. In a hockey game, coaches must be able to trust their players to perform in high pressure situations. At the same time, players must also trust each other to implement the game plan.
Bunting has already shown that he can be trusted to perform in clutch moments – that is, even a penalty kick across the goal line. On the other hand, his return to the lineup can boost the team’s offense and overall ability. On the other hand, if he learns which side of the line to play on, that is also crucial.
What he’s thinking is that Bunting will line up Thursday’s lineup
I think Bunting is likely to return to the Maple Leafs lineup. I also think it will be Lafferty’s departure.
Bunting can help a team push for overall finals success. He can do good hockey.
However, if Bunting returns, he will be tested by Lightning. He’d probably be a moving target for a team that’s probably trying to push him into another blast. If he played Bunting, he would probably get bruised all over after the game.
There are reasons why you might sit bunting
On the other hand, for this reason (it will be a goal), playing bunting may also become a distraction from the game. Will it help the maple leaves or the lightning?
I can see Sheldon Keefe’s pragmatic lesson “resting” in another game in hopes that this series will come to an end. Then Bungint can start over with the next team.
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