With Bunting suspended three games for an illegal check to the head of Lightning defenseman
Erik Cernak
in Game 1, Knies stepped in and helped the Mpale Leafs win all three games. Toronto leads leads the best-of-7 series and can close it out at home on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; TBS, CBC, SN, TVAS, BSSUN).
"Matthew Knies is certainly not coming out of the lineup, he's done a terrific job for us," Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said Tuesday. "He's a guy that has definitely earned his spot and the opportunity to continue to play for us there."
Knies, who signed with the Maple Leafs on April 9 after completing his sophomore season with the University of Minnesota, has one assist, is plus-2 and has averaged 15:35 in ice time in three Stanley Cup Playoff games. He assisted on Noel Acciari's goal in Game 3 and was on the ice providing a net-front presence on each of Toronto's game-winning goals in overtime the past two games.
RELATED: [Complete Maple Leafs vs. Lightning series coverage]
Bunting, who had 49 points (23 goals, 26 assists) in 82 games during the regular season, did not practice on a line Wednesday.
"We're just comfortable with the group that's been working here and won three games in a row so that's it," Keefe said.
When asked what his message to Bunting was, Keefe said he needed "just to stay ready."
"His situation opened the door for Matthew Knies to come in and he's done a terrific job for us and the chemistry with the rest of the group, it's not an easy decision because Bunting has played great hockey for us and he's been an important guy for our team," Keefe said. "The message was he is going to get back in, but it's not going to be tomorrow."
The Maple Leafs have used the same lineup the past three games. They won 7-2 at home in Game 2, then 4-3 in overtime in Game 3 at Tampa Bay and 5-4 in overtime on the road in Game 4 on Monday.
The Maple Leafs will have a chance to win their first playoff series since April 20, 2004, when they defeated the Ottawa Senators 4-1 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Toronto is 0-10 in its past 10 games with a chance to eliminate an opponent.
Bunting said his only focus at this point is to support the group as he awaits his next opportunity.
"My job is to be a good teammate and to be a professional in all aspects so that's what I intend on doing," Bunting said. "So I just wait and wait for my number to be called and I plan on helping this team win. I'm hoping that there's a lot more games to be played and I'll be in them so that's what I plan on doing but for the time being, I want to be a great teammate, support the boys and cheer them on as best I can."
