Leafs coach Craig Berube airs his frustration with Player Safety's decision on Bobby McMann

The Maple Leafs are suddenly rolling, winners of 5 of their last 6 games, and picking up points in all 6 games over that stretch. As a result, they bring their record up to 14-11-4, keeping them just 2 points back of Boston and Tampa Bay and 3 points back of Detroit for top spot in the Atlantic Division.

Unfortunately, last night's 2-0 shutout win over the Lightning came at a cost, as not only did the Leafs lose another defenseman in Dakota Mermis, who took a brutal knee-on-knee hit and left the game, but they also appear to be losing Bobby McMann to a suspension as well.

McMann earned himself a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety on Tuesday following what was deemed to be a dangerous high stick on Monday night on Tampa forward Oliver Bjorkstrand.

While the play didn't look like enough to warrant a suspension, the fact that McMann earned a match penalty for the stick infraction may come with a mandatory automatic 1-game suspension. Either way, Leafs coach Craig Berube was not a fan of the call.

When speaking with reporters on Monday after the win, Berube did not criticize the league too harshly, likely to avoid a fine, but he did express his displeasure with the call, and does not appear to believe that a suspension is warranted.

The Leafs always seem to be the team that Player Safety wants to make an example of, even when other plays across the league may warrant harsher punishments. With everything being amplified by the spotlight in Toronto, it's really unfortunate that Leafs players are never given the benefit of the doubt.

The continued presence of George Parros in the office of the NHL's Department of Player Safety isn't doing the Leafs any favours, and I'm sure we're all counting down the days until the league replaces him or he steps down to pursue other opportunities. Of course, this is always going to be his best way to stick it to the Leafs, so I don't see him going anywhere.