Michael Bunting will return to Maple Leafs lineup for Game 2 against Lightning

Michael Bunting is feeling good after the Maple Leafs' first goal Saturday night.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting will make his return to the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup for Game 2 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, bolstering the team’s offence after a commanding Game 1 win.

Bunting missed the Maple Leafs’ final three regular-season games, as well as their 5-0 series-opening win against the Lightning on Monday, due to a knee injury. His return started to seem imminent on Tuesday, when he took line rushes at practice in his usual spot alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.

“It’s day by day,” Bunting said. “I felt pretty good out there, obviously I was in regular line rushes and I felt good, I felt like my speed was there and everything like that, so I’m pretty happy with it.”

Bunting scored 23 goals and added 40 assists in 79 regular-season games this year.

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.