Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe says his team's lineup isn't set due to some injuries. But it appears Michael Bunting will return for Game 6. Timothy Liljegren may also make his series debut.

TAMPA — Michael Bunting appears set to make his return to the lineup when the Toronto Maple Leafs visit the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of their first-round playoff matchup, but there is still a bit of lineup mystery surrounding the club.

"We've got some decisions to make this afternoon on some of our guys so our lineup isn't set," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said on Saturday. 

Michael Bunting took part in the team's optional skate and appears set to make his return in some capacity. He was suspended for Games 2-4 of the series after an illegal check to the head of Tampa Bay defenseman Erik Cernak. Bunting was a healthy scratch for Game 5 as Keefe elected to not change personnel following three consecutive playoff wins.

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"He's handled it very well, that's obviously a tough situation to have that," Maple Leafs forward Ryan O'Reilly said of Bunting. "But his excitement to come back and be a part of this. You can tell. As a group, we can feed off it."

As far as changes, Keefe would not confirm if Timothy Liljegren would make his playoff debut for Game 6. The defenseman did not take part in the team's optional skate on Saturday. His usual routine is to skate when he is not scheduled to play.

Meanwhile, Justin Holl did take part in the skate. His usual routine is not to skate when he is in the lineup.

Holl did not do a bag skate after the morning session, typical for players who aren't playing in the evening. Given the Leafs are dealing with some injuries, it's possible that both Liljegren and Holl may be in the lineup and some of the injuries may force a different change. The Leafs could potentially go with 11 forward and seven defenseman, something they deployed in 11 games during the regular season.

The Maple Leafs had a pair of players get hurt during the second period of their 4-2 loss to the Lightning in Game 5. Matthew Knies blocked a shot from Tampa forward Steven Stamkos and temporarily left the game before returning for the third period.

 Mark Giordano was the recipient of a questionable hit along the boards from Tampa's Pat Maroon at the end of the second period.

Both Knies and Giordano took part in the optional skate. Knies typically hasn't skated in optional skates during this series, although Knies has only been a Toronto Maple Leaf for less than a month. Giordano skating is a positive development given the hit he took from Maroon.

The Maple Leafs have preached a "vibrant" tone following their 4-2 loss in Game 5 against the Lightning. Toronto has dropped their last 11 series close-out game.

"The mood is great, as upbeat as I’ve seen after a big loss like that," Alex Kerfoot said.

Maybe it's the maturation process or it's the knowledge of having two more kicks at the can. Perhaps it's the fact that Toronto swept both games at Amalie Arena earlier in the series. 

Either way, Toronto has a chance to advance to the second round for the first time since 2004 if they can pull off a victory tonight. The Maple Leafs lead the Lightning in their best-of-seven 3-2.

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