The Maple Leafs’ second-round matchup against the Panthers has been nothing if not a contentious affair.
The stakes of the duel are fairly significant, so such a dynamic makes sense. For Toronto, a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals is on the table — a place it hasn’t been to since 2002. Florida, meanwhile, is seeking a second-straight Stanley Cup. No side has accomplished such a feat since the Penguins in 2016 and 2017.
Through four games, we’re at a standstill. Both sides captured two games apiece, with the Panthers the most recent victors, beneficiaries of a 2-0 scoreline on Sunday night.
That joust was marked by plenty of fireworks. Sergei Bobrovsky authored up a 23-save masterpiece, while Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett landed impressive strikes beyond a sprawling Joseph Woll.
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But no moment proved more noteworthy than one of the match’s last. With the clock dwindling and a Florida victory all but assured, Maple Leafs forward Max Domi delivered a crunching hit to Florida captain Aleksander Barkov.
Suffice it to say, it was a blow that left the hockey world abuzz. Here’s what you need to know.
Max Domi hit on Aleksander Barkov
With about eight seconds left in the Game 4’s third period, Barkov skated towards the board to retrieve a loose puck. He was summarily rammed into the boards by Domi, who raced across half the length of the ice to collect his target.
“That is a dangerous hit! I know the game is over, but that is as reckless and dangerous as you can get from that distance from the boards.”
Eddie Olczyk reacts to Maple Leafs-Panthers drama as Game 4 comes to an end. 🏒🎙️ #NHL pic.twitter.com/KUOlJ2ilkm
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 12, 2025
Barkov head looked to go into the boards, although he swiftly popped up after the collision. He was nonetheless outraged by the hit. He wasn’t alone, either. Aaron Ekblad and Eetu Luostarinen immediately swarmed Domi in a sea of red.
Pushing and shoving ensued as the final buzzer sounded. Domi received a five-minute boarding penalty for his actions, while Ekblad, Brad Marchand and Bobby McCann were handed sanctions for misconduct.
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Will Max Domi be suspended?
It’s unclear whether Domi’s actions will garner a suspension. He’s got something of a reputation for bruising play, receiving a five-game ban after sucker punching Ekblad during a 2018 preseason game when he was a member of the Canadiens.
Aggressive start for Max Domi in Montreal. Drops Aaron Ekblad with a sucker punch pic.twitter.com/apVLRiWT9r
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) September 20, 2018
Domi was also docked $5,000 after striking Garnet Hathaway with an elbow earlier in the season.
Max Domi has been fined $5,000 for elbowing Garnet Hathaway pic.twitter.com/9ithb1yIBP
— Nasty Knuckles (@NastyKnuckles) January 6, 2025
Given Domi’s history and the seemingly deliberate nature of his latest foul, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the NHL’s Department of Player Safety give the Toronto forward a call in the next day or so.
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