TORONTO -- Tampa Bay's Erik Cernak left Game 1 of the Lightning's first-round playoff series against Toronto on Tuesday after taking a hit to the head from Leafs' forward Michael Bunting.
It was midway through the second period that Bunting caught Cernak up high with his elbow. Cernak was down on the ice for several minutes while being attended to by the Lightning's medical staff. He eventually went to Tampa's dressing room with support from teammates.
Officials reviewed the play while Cernak departed. Bunting was then assessed a match penalty for an illegal check to the head, making him ineligible to return for the rest of Game 1.