Toronto’s “Dangerous” Hit on Florida Captain Brutally Slammed by NHL Insider

It looks like the temperatures are soaring on the ice. That’s how Game 4 was between the Panthers and the Maple Leafs. After winning the opening two games, the Maple Leafs succumbed to two back-to-back defeats to leave the series in balance at 2-2. However, there was a controversial moment right toward the end of the game that became a talking point after the match ended. The Panthers’ captain, Aleksander Barkov, was on the receiving end of a hit from Max Domi, and he got support from NHL insider Josh Yohe.

When the clock hit 19:52 in the third period, Maple Leafs’ Max Domi hit the Panthers’ captain, Aleksander Barkov, on the back so hard that Barkov fell to the ice and crashed into the advertisement boards, headfirst. Although the hit looked nasty at first, Barkov avoided any serious injury, much to the relief of the Panthers’ camp. Subsequently, Max Domi was called out for his actions, with Yohe leading the charge.

He took to his official Twitter handle and wrote, “I’m not of the belief that every questionable hit needs to result in a suspension. But that Domi hit was clear intent to injure. Game was literally over. Star player’s back was his target. Dangerous and completely unnecessary. Suspension worthy.”

I’m not of the belief that every questionable hit needs to result in a suspension. But that Domi hit was clear intent to injure. Game was literally over. Star player’s back was his target. Dangerous and completely unnecessary. Suspension worthy.

— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) May 12, 2025

Soon after the incident, Domi received a penalty. Additionally, Panthers coach Paul Maurice also urged the league to look at the incident closely for any supplemental penalty to Domi. The Maple Leafs’ star has received a fine of $5000, which is the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The ruling was announced by the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety, and the money will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

However, the incident has left the temperatures soaring in both camps. Hours after the incident, Panthers’ star Sam Bennett opened up about the incident.

Sam Bennett comes down hard on Max Domi

Ever since the start of the series, the clash between the Panthers and the Maple Leafs has seen many aggressive incidents. Earlier on in the series, Sam Bennett hit the Maple Leafs’ goaltender, Anthony Stolarz, on the head with his elbow. While Bennett escaped any punishment for that incident, Domi didn’t have the same fate. Subsequently, Bennett made a strong confession about yesterday’s incident.

He said, “Obviously, he was trying to take a run at Barky at the end there. The boys did a good job jumping in there and sticking up for Barky. I mean, it’s been a physical series, so I expect more of that.”

With the dust refusing to settle and the series tied at 2-2, it only becomes more intense from here. Although Barkov had a brutal accident on the ice yesterday, he avoided any serious injury and is expected to be fit in time for the next game. The upcoming encounter takes place on Wednesday, and the Panthers would look to carry on the momentum as they strive to defend their Stanley Cup title. Can the Panthers win back-to-back Stanley Cup titles? Let us know your views in the comments below.

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