Sheldon Keefe announces the status of forwards Ondrej Kase and Michael Bunting for tonight's Game 1
As per TSN reporter Mark Masters, Leafs forward Ondrej Kase will make his return to the lineup tonight for Game 1 of the Bolts/Leafs series to kick off their 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. As for Michael Bunting, his return will have to wait.
Ondrej Kase has been out with a concussion since March 19th. This was not the first injury of Kase's career. He missed all but three games of the 2020 season due to injury. In fact, Kase has never played more than 66 games in a single season, so durability is certainly an issue.
Kase, when healthy, has been a welcome addition to the Leafs this season, recording 27 points in 50 games. Yesterday at practice, he skated along side Captain John Tavares and winger Ilya Mikheyev. But do not be surprised if Head Coach Sheldon Keefe has him up and down the lineup should that line faulter.
As for Michael Bunting, he has not played since an undisclosed injury against the Florida Panthers nine days ago. His presence in the lineup will be missed given how good he has been this season playing along side Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews. But given the fact that he did skate yesterday, do not be surprised if we see Bunting at some point during this series, perhaps as soon as Game 2 on Wednesday.
| POLL | ||
MAI 2 | 365 ANSWERS Sheldon Keefe announces the status of forwards Ondrej Kase and Michael Bunting for tonight's Game 1 When do you expect Michael Bunting back in the lineup? | ||
| Game 2 or 3 | 247 | 67.7 % |
| Game 4 or 5 | 77 | 21.1 % |
| Game 6 or 7 | 21 | 5.8 % |
| He won't play this series | 20 | 5.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
