Max Domi Fined for On-Ice Incident
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi has been fined $5,000, the maximum amount permitted under the league’s collective bargaining agreement. The fine is for a boarding action on Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov at the end of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference playoffs series.
The incident occurred when Toronto was losing 2-0 and Domi hit Barkov from behind, sending him into the boards. Domi received a minor penalty at that moment, triggering several confrontations before the officials separated the players.
Florida’s victory tied the series at best-of-seven at 2-2. Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday in Toronto.
Toronto coach Craig Berube did not directly comment on Domi’s incident on Monday, but did express that Dmitry Kulikov’s hit on Mitch Marner “was much worse.”
Craig Berube
In that play, the Panthers’ defenseman hit Marner with his elbow, leaving the Leafs’ forward momentarily dazed. Kulikov was not penalized.
This was not the first elbow incident that drew attention in the series.
In Game 1, Panthers forward Sam Bennett elbowed Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz in the head shortly before Stolarz left the game. He was subsequently hospitalized for further evaluation and has been unable to skate since. There is currently no timetable for his return.
The physical intensity of the series could continue to increase now that it’s down to a best-of-three. Based on how Game 4 played out, the Leafs are poised to respond when they host Florida on Wednesday.
We expected the physicality, and I think we’re fine with it. We’re handling it. We’re physical. I thought we were the more physical team [in Game 4].
Craig Berube
