Things are getting really interesting in the round 2 series of the playoffs between the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs. After an initial swing of luck in Toronto’s direction, Florida has finally come rearing back to keep things level. Game 4 was on home ground, and the Panthers truly brought it home with a 2-0 win, with ‘wondering-if-he’s-still-the-wonder-boy’ Matthew Tkachuk also getting an assist in there. Things were looking great for Florida until, with six seconds left on the clock, Max Domi went for the captain.

At the very end of the game, it could be seen that Max Domi was pushing Aleksander Barkov up against the boards; some teammates and the refs intervened, misconducts were handed out, and horns were blown, but still it didn’t quite seem like enough to the Panthers, who’d been hit where it counts. However, in a recent interview with TSN, Maple Leafs reporter Mark Masters seemed to think that Domi wouldn’t face a suspension.

“I don’t think the league is going to suspend Max Domi. I know just talking to our TSN hockey insider Chris Johnston, he’s been working his sources, doesn’t feel like it’s going to be suspendable. Paul Maurice said that’s the type of play the league looks at, especially late in a game.” Masters said, pointing out that the Panthers coach hasn’t simply let this slide but seems to be holding officials to their duties.

He then added, “The Panthers obviously aren’t happy with it. Maurice did say Barkov is going to be fine. No problem with their captain moving forward, but yeah, you know what? We might see a little physicality ratchet up the bad blood boiling.” 

Now the question is for game 5, and just how much the blood will be boiling with that massive attack taking place so late in the game, with no time to set things right then and there. Blood obviously boils longer when it carries over.

What can the Florida Panthers expect from game 5 given Max Domi will probably be on the ice?

In the same TSN episode, Mark Masters noted that Florida didn’t seem totally unfazed by the incident, with Matthew Tkachuk (who seems to believe he’s getting his mojo back) saying to William Nylander,“You know what? I got my eye on you after seeing that.” Nylander seemed to smile in response, but it looks like game 5 may be the best yet.

Florida seems to be finally finding their footing in this series, and after game 4, it doesn’t seem like Tkachuk’s February injury is holding him back as much as was earlier expected. He managed that assist, and it looks like he’s going to manage some of his signature physical play in game 5.

However, game 5 on Wednesday will be back in Toronto, so Florida will certainly have a harder time evening out the score than if they had been playing at home. So far both teams have won all their home games, but with Florida looking to get back at the Leafs, game 5 promises to be a nail-biter.

Masters noted in the episode that “Sam Bennett said that too that it’s going to be fun the rest of this series…It’s going to get more fun moving forward for us and apparently the players as the bad blood boils.” And with Max Domi not looking like he’ll face a suspension, and Aleksander Barkov looking like he’ll be ‘”all right” (according to Maurice), there’s also that to watch out for.

So here’s to more board slams in the name of fun, ah, there’s nothing quite like playoff hockey!