Toronto Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting has been suspended three games for an illegal check to the head and interference against Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Wednesday.
Bunting was assessed a match penalty during the second period of Tuesday's Game 1 loss to the Lightning after hitting Cernak in the head, causing the Tampa Bay defenseman to exit the matchup with an injury.
The NHL Department of Player Safety said in a video explaining the decision:
"As the puck wraps around the net, Bunting cuts back into Cernak, elevating significantly into the contact and picking his head, making it the main point of contact on a hit where such head contact was avoidable.