Leafs’ Bunting gets match penalty for hit to head of Bolts’ Cernak

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting was given a match penalty for an illegal check to the head of Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak during Tuesday's Game 1.

Bunting caught Cernak up high with under five minutes remaining in the second period. The Lightning defenseman left the game after the collision and didn't return.

Bunting will have a hearing with the Department of Player Safety on Wednesday.

Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said Bunting's hit seems to "check a lot of boxes" to warrant supplemental discipline, according to Sportsnet's Luke Fox.

Star blue-liner Victor Hedman and forward Mikey Eyssimont also exited Tuesday's contest early for Tampa Bay due to injuries.

Corey Perry scored on the ensuing five-minute power play to put the Lightning up 5-2. After a failed challenge for goaltender interference from the Maple Leafs, Brayden Point added another goal on the five-on-three man advantage to extend Tampa's lead to four.

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