Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

NHL Will Do 'Their Job' on Max Domi’s Late Hit, Panthers Coach Claims

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated May 12, 2025 8:10 AM ET

The final seconds of Game 4 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers turned chaotic when Max Domi drilled Aleksander Barkov from behind, sending the Panthers captain head first into the boards.

The hit came just before the final buzzer in Florida’s 2-0 win on Sunday night, triggering a multi-player scuffle and sparking immediate backlash from the Panthers' bench.

Domi was assessed a boarding penalty and issued a five-minute major for boarding. Bobby McCann of the Maple Leafs and three Panthers players — Brad Marchand, Eetu Luostarinen and Aaron Ekblad — were handed 10-minute misconducts.

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice addressed the incident after the game and made it clear he expects the league to take a closer look.

Maurice on Domi's hit on Barkov at the buzzer: "I think that the league looks at those things very close, especially at that point in the game. That's their job."
— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) May 12, 2025

“I think that the league looks at those things very close, especially at that point in the game,” Maurice said. “That’s their job.”

Maurice was also able to confirm that Barkov appeared to avoid serious injury on the reckless play by Domi.

“Yeah, I think he’ll be alright,” Maurice said.

Maurice couldn't provide any information on fellow forward Evan Rodrigues' status. Rodrigues was knocked out of Game 4 after Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson interfered with him in front of the benches five minutes into the third period.

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

Rodrigues headed down the tunnel and did not return to the game, awaiting further evaluation.

The league’s decision on Domi's potential suspension could impact Game 5, which is set for Wednesday.

Domi’s hit isn’t the first disciplinary saga in the series, however, with Panthers forward Sam Bennett having already avoided penalty or suspension after knocking Toronto goaltender Anthony Stolarz out of Game 1 with an elbow to the head.

The Panthers evened the series on Sunday with the shutout win behind goals from Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett and a 23-save performance by Sergei Bobrovsky.

Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second-round series between Toronto and Florida is set for puck-drop at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET.

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

More must-reads: