Penguins' Michael Bunting gets into a car accident ahead of game with Tampa Bay Lightning: Reports

Reports emerged that Pittsburgh Penguins forward Michael Bunting got into a car accident outside of PPG Paints Arena on Sunday afternoon. Bunting was on his way to the rink for the Penguins game against the Tampa Bay Lightning when his car crashed.

Coach Mike Sullivan gave an update on the winger.

"Mike Sullivan said Michael Bunting was involved in a car accident outside of PPG Paints Arena and that everybody's okay, but the winger will not play tonight," Pens Inside Scoop tweeted.

This will be Bunting's second missed game of the 2024-25 season, his first being a healthy scratch for a game against Winnipeg in October. He will have an opportunity to return to the Penguins lineup on Tuesday when they host the Seattle Kraken.

The Penguins will also be without superstar centerman Evgeni Malkin for the fourth consecutive game due to an upper-body injury. They will be in tough without two of their top forwards in a game with big implications in terms of playoff positioning.

Michael Bunting has been a key part of the Penguins turnaround

After a slow start to his 2024-25 campaign, Michael Bunting has found his game. He's racked up 18 points (nine goals, nine assists) in his last 19 games, almost a point-per-game rate. This comes after recording just seven points (four goals, three assists) in his first 24 games of the season.

The Pens have gone 9-6-4 in the 19-game stretch where Bunting has been his most productive. His improved play has been a major factor in the Pittsburgh Penguins' push for a playoff spot after a dreadful 7-12-4 start to the year.

The Scarborough native is in his first full season as a Penguin, after being traded to Pittsburgh as part of the package in return for star forward Jake Guentzel. He put up terrific numbers in his time with the team in 2023-24 with 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) in 21 games.

Without Bunting, the Penguins will take on their longtime teammate Jake Guentzel when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning at PPG Paints Arena. The puck drops at 5 p.m. EST.