John E. Sokolowski

Craig Berube's Strong Message About Max Domi’s Hit on Aleksander Barkov

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Spencer Garrett Ostrow | Last updated May 12, 2025 12:47 PM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs fell 2–0 to the Florida Panthers in Game 4 of their second-round Stanley Cup playoffs series on Sunday night. Although the series is now tied after the Leafs took the first two games, a major storyline from Game 4 was Max Domi’s hit on Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov.

The incident occurred with just seven seconds remaining in regulation and the game all but over. As players battled for the puck along the boards in the Panthers’ zone, Domi, positioned near the slot, locked in on Barkov.

With Barkov facing the wall, Domi skated toward him and delivered a hard hit from behind, sending the Panthers’ star head first into the boards. It was undoubtedly a dangerous play, but fortunately for Barkov, he appeared to be OK.

Domi was given a five-minute major for boarding.

Max Domi's hit on Sasha Barkov sparks chaos at the final horn https://t.co/j3zVuJUsDk pic.twitter.com/uqREDFahJs
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 12, 2025

Here's another angle of the hit:

Another look at the absolutely DIRTY hit from Max Domi on Sasha Barkov as time expires

Absolutely dirty. No respect for the Florida Panthers captain.

How many games suspension will Domi get for this hit? pic.twitter.com/AhFa5xzy55
— Adam (@AGBRSports) May 12, 2025

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube was asked about it on Monday morning but chose not to comment on it, instead bringing up something entirely unrelated.

"To me, the Kulikov hit on Marner was 10 times worse," Berube answered.

Berube was referring to an incident that occurred in the second period involving Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov and Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner.

Marner had the puck in the Panthers’ zone and, seeing Kulikov approaching, tried to avoid the hit. He spun the opposite way after smartly sending the puck behind the net. As he turned away, Kulikov caught him with an elbow to the back of the head. Fortunately for Marner as well, he appeared to be OK, staying in the game.

Kulikov lands a high elbow on Marner pic.twitter.com/Xtf3d0kSUb
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 12, 2025

Shortly after Berube spoke to the media, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Domi "has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for boarding Florida’s Aleksander Barkov."

There has been no announcement about possible discipline for Kulikov for his hit on Marner.

Game 5 between the Maple Leafs and the Panthers is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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