Matthew Tkachuk threatened William Nylander following the hit on Aleksander Barkov

And yesterday, there was one storyline that had everyone talking: Max Domi’s hit on Aleksander Barkov.

At the end of the game, with the Maple Leafs no longer in a position to mount a comeback, Domi hit the Panthers star from behind, and the reaction was overwhelming.

Should we expect the league to punish the hit? No.

But does that mean the Panthers players will sit back and do nothing? No, that’s not what it means, because the culture there is different from elsewhere.

The Canadiens need to learn from this… but I digress.

Who decided to take the matter into his own hands and tell William Nylander that the Panthers wanted an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth with a star on the other side? Matthew Tkachuk, of course.

I’ll get you. – Matthew Tkachuk to William Nylander

It’s no coincidence that the culture changed in Florida the second Tkachuk came to town. Having a guy like him in your organization helps bring about a culture where guys play for each other.

And the Maple Leafs, who have dropped the last two games, can’t be feeling too good this morning. Max Domi must know that he’s woken up a bear that was, in a way, sleeping.

overtime

– He may have a bad back, but…

– Here’s a Toronto club that’s doing better.

– His streak of consecutive games with at least one point ends at 54.

– Nice compliment for Scotty Bowman.

– The Wildcats are strong.