Analysis | Michael Bunting hat-trick helps Leafs switch and beat Red Wings

Michael Bunting’s three-goal night helped the Maple Leafs shake off some sloppy play in their own zone Saturday night in Detroit.

The Scarborough native had his biggest game of the season and put a career high in goals with 12 as the Leafs erased a 4-2 deficit to secure a 7-4 victory over the Red Wings.

It was a big night around for Bunting with Scarborough hosting “Hockey Night in Canada”. Bunting and teammate Wayne Simmonds also promoted their community’s recent effort to improve health care funding.

“To have Hockey Night in Canada there, you can not write that stuff down,” Bunting said. “Simmer and I are proud to be from Scarborough.”

On the ice, the Leafs, after a few turning points and poor positional play in their own zone in the first half of the game, found their pass in the second half against a Red Wings team with some of the league’s best newcomers.

One key to his return was coach Sheldon Keefe who restored the lines he shuffled last week.

Keefe put his top three attacking stars – Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander – on separate lines. With his team struggling defensively, he reunited Matthews and Marner, putting Nylander back with John Tavares.

The resulting work ethic, speed and offensive shot possession made an immediate difference. Toronto, which was shot out by the first two periods, scored five unanswered goals in the third period (two of them empty net players) and finished Detroit 37-35.

Rasmus Sandin, with his first goal in 60 games, scored with 2:51 left in the third period, giving the Leafs a 5-4 lead.

“After the first and second periods we talked … and we all agreed we are not good enough. In the second half of the game we came out with a lot of speed and played smarter. “

Marner scored an empty net goal in the power play with 1:14 to go, which extended his goal to a personal best of five games.

Red Mrázek: Leafs goalkeeper Petr Mrázek started and was nowhere near as sharp as a week ago in a 3-1 win over the Islanders. The four goals against it came on 33 strokes, and he struggled to control setbacks.

Special teams: The Leafs entered the game with the NHL’s top power play (30.6 percent success) and penalty goal (93 percent). The power play, after three goals Wednesday against Anaheim, was 1-for-2, while the penalty goal gave up Dylan Larkin’s second goal on Detroit’s only man advantage.

Point taken: Morgan Rielly pulled the assist on Pierre Engvall’s first period goal and now has 30 assists for the second time in as many seasons, and fifth in his career. It was also Rielly’s 22nd equalizer, which put him ahead of the Rangers’ Adam Fox for the lead among NHL defenders.

Red races: Bunting used hard work and a willingness to get in the dirty areas in front of the net to earn himself steady ice time in the Leafs’ top six forwards group. Part of that style of play helped get Bunting second in the NHL with 25 penalties.

“I do not want to say rat … but he’s getting in guys’ faces,” Leafs defender Travis Dermott said. “He touches the nerves of (opposition players). He does not shy away from a fight. “

When he entered Saturday’s games, Connor McDavid led the NHL in equal penalties with 26. “I did not know there was a leaderboard for that,” Bunting said with a smile at the morning skating in Detroit on Saturday.

Only three Leafs drew 10 or more: Alex Kerfoot with 11, and Marner and Wayne Simmonds, each with 10.

Milestone: Marlies captain Rich Clune has reached the 700-match plateau in his career this past week, an achievement that is a testament to his competitive drive and character. “Rich is one of the best role models you can ask for,” Dermott said. “The team knows what a hidden gem they have with Dicky… he has helped me so much in my career, and I can not thank him enough for that.”

Another milestone: The Red Wings paid tribute to Jeff Blashill, who celebrated his 500th game as head coach on Saturday night. Blashill is fifth of all time in Red Wings coaching history behind Jack Adams (964 games), Sid Abel (811), Mike Babcock (786) and Scotty Bowman (701).