Max Domi’s Hit on Aleksander Barkov from Behind in Game 4 Does Not Sit Well with Fans: “Disgusting Act”

In the dying moments of Game 4, Max Domi came from behind and landed a huge hit on Aleksander Barkov, which led to a huge brawl.

Max Domi’s Hit on Aleksander Barkov from Behind in Game 4 Does Not Sit Well with Fans: “Disgusting Act”

Max Domi and Aleksander Barkov (Image via Toronto Sun/X/@Sportsnet/Sporting News)

The second-round series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers is getting more physical with each passing game. In the dying moments of Game 4, Max Domi would land a huge hit on Aleksander Barkov from behind. This hit has not gone down well with the fans.

The matchup between the Maple Leafs and the Panthers is a rematch from the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs. While the Panthers ran away as 4-1 winners after 5 games that time, this time the series is evenly matched.

In Game 1, defenseman Sam Bennett came under the spotlight after he collided with goaltender Anthony Stolarz. The goalie would get concussed and leave the game a few minutes later.

Game 4 between these two rivals saw the Panthers claim an important 2-0 win and level the series. During the final few seconds of the game, though, things got tense as Max Domi came from behind and landed a hit on Barkov.

This led to a scrum between the two sets of players. Eetu Luostarinen and Aaron Ekblad came to the defense of their captain and jumped on Domi. Meanwhile, Brad Marchand, who was celebrating his 37th birthday, got into a tangle with Bobby McMann.

Domi received a 5-minute boarding penalty for this hit on Barkov. Meanwhile, Marchand, McMann and Ekblad were given misconduct for their actions in this game.

Social media reacts to Max Domi’s hit in Game 4

A huge chaos erupted during the final few moments of Game 4 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers. The hit from Max Domi on Aleksander Barkov saw tempers flare as the players got involved in a wild brawl.

Max Domi
Max Domi (Image via TSN)

Fans on social media were not happy with the hit from Domi on Barkov. Several users called him out on X and slammed him. One user wrote, “Disgusting act” and added that he needs to be suspended for his actions in this match.

Check out that and some other fan reactions from X regarding below:

The major question is, will Max Domi be suspended for this hit? He is a repeat offender and was fined $5000 earlier this year for elbowing Garrett Hathaway.

Given that history, he could get a call from the NHL Department of Player Safety (DoPS). On top of that, boarding penalties have led to suspensions in the NHL before, so there is a chance that the Maple Leafs’ star could get into trouble.

Sam Bennett sounds off on Max Domi’s following his hit in Game 4

Max Domi’s hit in Game 4 on Aleksander Barkov led to a huge scrum folding between the two sets of players. Following the game, defenseman Sam Bennett sounded off on Domi for his hit on the Florida Panthers captain.

Sam Bennett and Max Domi
Sam Bennett and Max Domi (Image via ESPN/Yardbarker)

While speaking to the reporters after the game, the Canadian international claimed that he was happy to see his teammates ‘jump in‘ and came into the defense of Barkov after he got his head smacked on the board.

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

Sam Bennett told the reporters

Bennett himself has faced some huge criticism in this series after he hit Anthony Stolarz in Game 1. Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube went on to take a swipe at the officials after the non-penalty call over Bennett’s hit and deemed it as a clear penatly.

The 28-year-old was one of the goal scorers from this team’s 2-0 win on Sunday. Game 5 of this series will take place on Wednesday at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada.

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