NHL fines Max Domi $5,000 but backlash erupts as fans call player safety biased against certain teams

In the heat of Game 4 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers , Max Domi made a move that not only ended the game on a sour note but also set off a chain reaction that has hockey fans buzzing for all the wrong reasons. The NHL ’s disciplinary system is under fire, and the league’s handling of this hit has sparked accusations of bias or incompetence.

Max Domi’s hit wasn’t just late, it was dangerous and it sent Barkov flying into the boards

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

Domi’s hit came after the buzzer, as the clock struck zero and Toronto’s disappointing loss was sealed. He lined up Aleksander Barkov from behind and shoved him into the boards in a moment of frustration, sending the Florida captain crashing into the glass. It wasn’t just a late hit, it was a reckless, dangerous one, as former NHL player and commentator Eddie Olczyk described it during the broadcast. “That is as reckless and dangerous as you can get from that distance from the boards,” Olczyk remarked.

Craig Berube on Max Domi’s hit:

Do you agree or disagree with coach?

(via: @NHL_On_TNT) pic.twitter.com/lhsrjycDLF

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 12, 2025

The Leafs were already reeling from a poor performance, and Domi’s frustration boiled over. As a veteran player with a reputation for pushing the limits, his actions were a clear sign that the emotional toll of this tight, physical series had finally cracked the Leafs’ composure.

Player Safety only fined Domi, igniting outrage over biased or broken discipline system
As the dust settled, the NHL’s response came swiftly: Max Domi was fined $5,000, the maximum allowed under the collective bargaining agreement. But that was it. No suspension. No additional punishment. Just a fine.

Toronto’s Max Domi has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for boarding Florida’s Aleksander Barkov.

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) May 12, 2025

This raised a massive outcry from fans, players, and analysts alike. Many pointed out the inconsistencies in how the league handles hits. Florida’s Rodriguez, Kulikov, Marchment, and Bennett all made similar hits throughout the game, with no penalties or fines. Fans began to ask the big question: Why does Domi get a fine, but these other players get away scot-free?

Bennett - No Call/Fine
Rodriquez - No Call/Fine
Kulikov - No Call/Fine
Marchment - No Call/Fine

It’s either incompetence or unfair bias. https://t.co/yMYEmjSrKk

— Fish (@feedthefish79) May 12, 2025

One viral tweet sparked debate, highlighting the "No Call/Fine" discrepancies for other players, adding fuel to the fire that the NHL's disciplinary system is either failing or showing signs of bias.

With the series tied 2-2 and Game 5 set to take place in Toronto, the stakes have never been higher. The Panthers have the momentum, but there’s now a bitter personal element to this matchup. After Domi’s late hit, the intensity has only increased, and both teams are gearing up for an all-out brawl on the ice.

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