The second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs is always very tough, but the series between the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs is beginning to look like a classic. After last night’s game, everyone is talking about the huge hit from Max Domi on Aleksander Barkov. Now, Kevin Bieksa shares his thoughts.
The Toronto Maple Leafs had a terrific start to the second round against the Florida Panthers, winning both home games before heading to Florida for Games Three and Four. But Florida has proved why they’re the favorites to win the series—they just never give up. The Panthers have won the last two games, tying the series at 2-2.
Max Domi hit on Aleksander Barkov
Last night, the Panthers won 2-0, but most of the discussion afterward has been about a hit delivered by Max Domi on Aleksander Barkov. The incident took place right after the final buzzer, and chaos erupted on the ice. Now, experts are weighing in on the late hit.
Kevin Bieksa shares thoughts
“A little late, he’s coming in from behind. It’s not a great hit, but honestly, it’s also one you don’t apologize for. This is the end of the game, you just lost both games in Florida. I’m okay with that—I like the mentality,” Kevin Bieksa said in the studio.
It remains to be seen whether Domi will be suspended for the hit. Game Five will be played on Wednesday in Toronto. You can watch the clip below.
“It’s not a great hit, but honestly, it’s also one you don’t apologize for.”
The panel weighs in on Max Domi’s hit at the end of Game 4.
Kevin Bieksa goes on serious rant over officiating in Game 3, loses it over penalty call on Toronto
The Toronto Maple Leafs finally got through the first round of the NHL playoffs, but the second round hasn’t started as they had hoped.
The Maple Leafs lost Game 1 4-2 and Game 2 3-2. They needed a win in Game 3, but already before the game, there was some controversy regarding the officials appointed to the game.
Maple Leafs fans feel that Wes McCauley hates them, and some even bring up the fact that McCauley has some history with Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe.
Keefe talked about how much he respects McCauley before the game, but during the game, there was even more controversy, and one former NHL defenseman was seriously pissed off.
In the second period of Game 3, Morgan Rielly got into some wrestling with Panthers’ Anthony Duclair, and he was sent to the penalty box for an interference call.
Former NHLer Kevin Bieksa was in the studio for Hockey Night in Canada, and he wasn’t happy about it.
“It wasn’t a good call,” Bieksa said. “They are gonna kind of run into each other and they are jostling for position on the backcheck. I get that there is a bit of a left-hand reach, but Rielly is entitled to this ice as much as Duclair.”
Source: Sportsnet/Youtube
Bieksa wasn’t just angry about the penalty call on Rielly. He was also furious that several plays earlier in the game weren’t called for penalties.
“I just think with the way this game has been called, it’s been so tight, you can’t call that a penalty,” Bieksa said, continuing to slam the referees. “There’s only been two penalties now in the game and that’s one of them? Ugh! C’mon man!”