Leafs' Bunting to have hearing for hit to head of Lightning's Cernak

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Wednesday.

Bunting was given a match penalty for hitting Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak in the head during Tuesday's Game 1. Bunting caught Cernak up high with under five minutes remaining in the second period.

Michael Bunting gets a match penalty for this hit on Erik Cernak pic.twitter.com/014jfUBpjW

- Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) April 19, 2023

The Lightning defenseman left the game after the collision and didn't return. On Wednesday, Bolts head coach Jon Cooper said Cernak won't play in Game 2, according to team writer Chris Krenn.

Cooper said Tuesday night that Bunting's hit seemed 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. One day later, Eyssimont was ruled out for Thursday, while Hedman was labeled a game-time decision.

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