Jake Muzzin steps in to help the Maple Leafs

Jake Muzzin hasn’t played for the Toronto Maple Leafs since Oct. 17 when he suffered a severe neck injury in a collision with Arizona Coyotes forward Clayton Keller. It was later confirmed in February that he wouldn’t play for the rest of the season, or even in the playoffs.

Now that the Maple Leafs are on the verge on heading to Round 2 for the first time since 2004, Muzzin can only watch as his teammates are a win away from beating the Tampa Bay Lightning. But that’s not all the defenseman does especially with the latest lineup update confirmed by head coach Sheldon Keefe on Wednesday.

Keefe announced that he’ll be rolling with the lineup he’s had in Toronto’s three consecutive first-round playoff wins against the Bolts. Therefore, veteran forward Michael Bunting will be scratched for Thursday’s pivotal Game 5 at home.

This has to be a tough blow for Bunting, who is willing to fight for a spot back into the lineup. The forward explained to TSN’s Mark Masters that he has been leaning on Muzzin for advice and in order to keep a positive attitude.

“He’s been with me through this whole way. He’s been the voice in my head and just the way he’s been talking me through it, I can’t thank him enough.”

Muzzin knows all about the postseason : he won the Stanley Cup with the Los Angeles Kings in 2014 and was acquired by Toronto via trade in January 2019. He tallied 11 goals and 28 points in 72 playoff appearances.
And now he is helping the Maple Leafs with his advice to Bunting, who will surely listen, keep his composure once he is back into the Maple Leafs this postseason.

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