As the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers wage war in a heated second-round playoff series, a late-game hit from Max Domi has become the epicenter of a firestorm that’s now engulfing the NHL’s credibility. While Domi’s $5,000 fine grabbed headlines, it’s the league’s selective silence on other dangerous plays that’s drawing even louder backlash.
Are the Maple Leafs being targeted? Domi penalized as Panthers' hits go unpunished
With emotions at a boiling point and the final buzzer sounding in Game 4, Max Domi delivered a punishing blow to Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov sending him crashing headfirst into the boards. The incident earned Domi a minor boarding penalty and a $5,000 fine, the maximum allowable under the NHL's collective bargaining agreement. But in the broader context of this series, the punishment has ignited a much deeper controversy.
While Domi was held accountable, Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov faced no consequences for an earlier elbow to Mitch Marner’s head, a hit that left the Leafs star visibly shaken. Leafs head coach Craig Berube didn’t speak directly on Domi’s actions, but didn’t mince words about Kulikov’s: “was way worse.”
Then there’s the lingering incident from Game 1, where Florida forward Sam Bennett elbowed Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz in the head just before Stolarz left the game and was later hospitalized. Still unable to return, his status remains uncertain yet the league again turned a blind eye.
Three brutal hits. Two ignored. One fined. The math doesn’t sit right with Toronto and neither does the message it sends.
Leafs demand consistency and fairness in discipline
Many now believe the NHL is leaning into selective discipline, penalizing retaliation more than provocation. Leafs players have been vocal about embracing the physical nature of playoff hockey, but not at the expense of fair officiating.
“We expected the physicality, and I think we’re fine with it,” Berube said. “"We're handling it. We're physical.”
Also Read: Max Domi’s hit on Aleksander Barkov wasn’t just dangerous—It was calculated chaos and NHL surely can't look away
As Game 5 returns to Scotiabank Arena, the series is now tied 2-2 but the Leafs aren’t just fighting for a lead. They’re demanding clarity, fairness, and above all, consistency in how the league polices dangerous play. For now, Max Domi’s fine is just the tip of the iceberg. The real issue lies beneath and the NHL can’t afford to keep skating around it.
Are the Maple Leafs being targeted? Domi penalized as Panthers' hits go unpunished
Toronto’s Max Domi has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for boarding Florida’s Aleksander Barkov.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) May 12, 2025
With emotions at a boiling point and the final buzzer sounding in Game 4, Max Domi delivered a punishing blow to Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov sending him crashing headfirst into the boards. The incident earned Domi a minor boarding penalty and a $5,000 fine, the maximum allowable under the NHL's collective bargaining agreement. But in the broader context of this series, the punishment has ignited a much deeper controversy.
While Domi was held accountable, Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov faced no consequences for an earlier elbow to Mitch Marner’s head, a hit that left the Leafs star visibly shaken. Leafs head coach Craig Berube didn’t speak directly on Domi’s actions, but didn’t mince words about Kulikov’s: “was way worse.”
Then there’s the lingering incident from Game 1, where Florida forward Sam Bennett elbowed Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz in the head just before Stolarz left the game and was later hospitalized. Still unable to return, his status remains uncertain yet the league again turned a blind eye.
Three brutal hits. Two ignored. One fined. The math doesn’t sit right with Toronto and neither does the message it sends.
Leafs demand consistency and fairness in discipline
Many now believe the NHL is leaning into selective discipline, penalizing retaliation more than provocation. Leafs players have been vocal about embracing the physical nature of playoff hockey, but not at the expense of fair officiating.
“We expected the physicality, and I think we’re fine with it,” Berube said. “"We're handling it. We're physical.”
Also Read: Max Domi’s hit on Aleksander Barkov wasn’t just dangerous—It was calculated chaos and NHL surely can't look away
As Game 5 returns to Scotiabank Arena, the series is now tied 2-2 but the Leafs aren’t just fighting for a lead. They’re demanding clarity, fairness, and above all, consistency in how the league polices dangerous play. For now, Max Domi’s fine is just the tip of the iceberg. The real issue lies beneath and the NHL can’t afford to keep skating around it.
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