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Should Bunting be put back into the lineup?

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Should Bunting be put into the lineup?

  • Yes

  • No

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tmlms13 said:
He'd come in for ZAR or Lafferty, that's pretty obvious. I don't even need the fancy numbers.

Bunting: 82gp 23g 26a
Lafferty: 70gp 12g 15a
ZAR: 77gp 10g 4a

I may not have been the captain of the math team but I do know what number is bigger than the other. And neither ZAR or Lafferty offer enough if any in the way of intangibles to make up for double the raw stats.

It's freaking common sense
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Except bunting gifts Tampa power plays so no. No amount of points makes that worth it
 
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tmlms13 said:
This might be the dumbest thing I have ever read
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How so? Putting Bunting back in the lineup is not without risk. It's not an unfair take to believe that the risk may not be worth the reward.

Games are not won and lost on the statline. They are won and lost when things happen at key moments. The penalty Bunting took in game 1 was a huge swing moment.

Considering the Leafs' potential for comebacks in games 3 and 4 it gets easier and easier to say that game 1 was winnable before Bunting made an unbelievably stupid decision to throw an elbow into Cernak's jaw. It certainly wasn't winnable after the penalty kill.

If you actually manage to find a way not to understand the risk inherent in putting him back out there knowing this might easily happen again, I'm not sure what to even say to that.
 
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Game 4 they outplayed Tampa in the 2nd, 3rd and OT.

Led in shots, hits, blocks and most importantly goals.

Not a single analyst or anyone who played for either team has said differently.

If you watch any of the Tampa Bay post game all their talk was about how the Leafs took over in the 2nd and they could feel it coming.

Game 1 was awful. Game 3 they stole
 
Nope, not until he can get his nonsense under control. The Leafs have been playing awful and they don't need anyone digging them into an additional hole.
 
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Peace Frog said:
Seriously?

They got their lunch fed to them in game one , and eeked out games three and four with OT wins they had no business winning. They won and that’s what matters, but don’t think for a minute that they deserved to win.
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They deserved to win because they scored more goals then the other team.
 
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Can't believe this is even a discussion. Of course he draws back in. I'd play him in a lesser role on the 3rd or 4tb line though. He'll be effective lower down the lineup and can mix it up without running the risk of dragging Matthews and Marner in.

Personally I'd sit ZAR for him. He's been fine but meh. I like Lafferty's skating too much to sit him.
 
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Drytoast said:
Why would you change anything about a line up that just went 3-0 after getting blown up in game 1, the only game Bunting's been in where he caused the Leafs to implode by his antics in taking a 5 minute major?

He's gonna take penalties. It's unfortunate, but the refs are all over him and he can't help himself. Not worth the risk. He sees ice time unless some other Leaf has royally screwed up. And so far that's not the case.
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The leafs haven’t played that well over the last 2 games though. It’s remarkable we’re up 3-1. Bunting gives us a bit extra to get over the hump. He gives the 2nd power play unit a big boost, he draws penalties when he’s at his best and he can shoot. He may even get a goal. Not that I think bunting is as good as Kadri, but imagine if the Avs didn’t play Kadri after his suspension. Maybe they don’t win the cup. Always trust your guys imo. Bunting is a 50-60 point player and he IS a top 6 forward, make no mistake.
 
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Bunting working his way up the lineup starting on L4 is what we should hope happens

Period 1;
Bunting-Kampf-Lafferty

Period 2:
Bunting-Tavares-Nylander

Period 3 and OT (I kid):
Bunting-Matthews-Marner
 
Yes, the fourth line has been getting caved in against Tampa's and at this point I think he'd be a significant upgrade over ZAR or Lafferty. Or you have him play with ROR and shift Kerfoot down, but either way you're improving that fourth line significantly.
 
In a series about destroying narratives and overcoming demons, I find it quite fitting if Bunting comes in.

My prediction is he will:
- fight one of Jeannot, Maroon, Perry at the opening face-off and get wrecked
- hounded by the bolts all night
- no sympathy from the refs
- score an important goal
 
You don't try new food before a hot date. A Physical test. Team tryouts.
Game 5 to close out Tampa is no exception to this.

You don't try something different when you've been winning.

The only argument is - Miracle wins in Tampa? or was it the stars not showing up again? Only Keefe knows... Does Bunting help or will he just make Refs and Tampa Target him and cause scrums vs playing hockey.

History has proven Leafs lose the side of Scrums and penalties... not every game is going to be reffed fairly like GM 3 and 4 ( arguably )

If he is ON... 4th line.

otherwise - Don't change shit and adjust the strategy and start on time for 60 Mins and we have this.

Bunting adds an X factor... and it might not go our way
 
Divine said:
For me, it's obvious, you put Bunting back here.

This is our 5th best forward the last two seasons, behind Matthews, Marner, Nylander and Tavares. He put up 60+ points last season, and 49 points this season.

Secondly, Jarnkrok has been a black hole. He's playing with 2 of the playoffs leading scorers and has 2 points. Matthews and Marner did nothing last night with Jarnkrok, it wasn't until he was off the line that they scored.

A ~60 point agitator is someone every team would put in the playoffs. Did Boston ever think of removing Marchand when he was a 60 point player?

Also, Tampa is a dirty team that is hot-headed. If Bunting is in the lineup, they will try to chase him around. You need to tell Bunting to keep his cool and don't retaliate, let Tampa get themselves out of the game seeking vengeance.

You ice your best lineup - ZAR is my choice to come out.
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Fair point.
 
Schenn said:
Can't believe this is even a discussion. Of course he draws back in. I'd play him in a lesser role on the 3rd or 4tb line though. He'll be effective lower down the lineup and can mix it up without running the risk of dragging Matthews and Marner in.

Personally I'd sit ZAR for him. He's been fine but meh. I like Lafferty's skating too much to sit him.
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All of this. There no point me posting my thoughts, they’re here.

Yes, he is going to have to fight somebody early.
 
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The thing is that there is a chance Bunting will lose his sh** and TB gets PP and scores and beat the Leafs. Ofcourse Leafs could also lose even without playing Bunting.

The thing is the boys stole Game 3 and fought back as a unit to win Game 4. Leafs owe it to everyone who were in the line up in TB to play Game 5. Bunting screwed up and needed to understand that at this moment, he doesn’t deserve to be in Game 5, potentially the biggest game in Leafs recent history.
 
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