Matthew Tkachuk threatened William Nylander following the hit on Aleksander Barkov

What else? How do you like the series?

It seems that this year in particular, there are always twists and turns, stories to follow or dirty tricks. Every game brings a new intrigue to the 2025 series.

Thanks to yesterday’s Stars and Panthers wins, here’s what the playoff picture looks like. It’s hard to ask for more in terms of intrigue, isn’t it?

And yesterday, there was one storyline that had everyone talking: Max Domi’s hit on Aleksander Barkov.

At the end of the game, with the Maple Leafs no longer in a position to mount a comeback, Domi hit the Panthers star from behind, and the reaction was overwhelming.

Will Domi have a hearing for this buzzer hit on Barkov? pic.twitter.com/yjNyeoF8gk

– Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) May 12, 2025

Should we expect the league to punish the hit? No.

But does that mean the Panthers players will sit back and do nothing? No, that’s not what it means, because the culture there is different from elsewhere.

The Canadiens need to learn from this… but I digress.

Who decided to take the matter into his own hands and tell William Nylander that the Panthers wanted an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth with a star on the other side? Matthew Tkachuk, of course.

I’ll get you. – Matthew Tkachuk to William Nylander

Matthew Tkachuk was telling Willy Nylander that he was going after him next game because of the Domi hit on Barkov pic.twitter.com/dF0bYkJRxH

– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 12, 2025

It’s no coincidence that the culture changed in Florida the second Tkachuk came to town. Having a guy like him in your organization helps bring about a culture where guys play for each other.

And the Maple Leafs, who have dropped the last two games, can’t be feeling too good this morning. Max Domi must know that he’s woken up a bear that was, in a way, sleeping.

overtime

– He may have a bad back, but…

Fun fact, Jake Evans has more 2nd-round goals in his career than Auston Matthews

Evans: 1 goal in 1 game
Matthews: 0 goals in 9 games

– Guillaume Villemaire (@GVillemaire13) May 12, 2025

– Here’s a Toronto club that’s doing better.

The Toronto club has won its last four games and is playing for .500. https://t.co/G6dcRUKHEt

– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) May 12, 2025

– His streak of consecutive games with at least one point ends at 54.

In his streak of 54 games with at least one point Gavin McKenna has recorded 40 goals and 97 assists for 137 points.

In 83-84, Mario Lemieux had a point in 61 straight games with the Voisins de Laval, which remains the #LCH all-time record

– Stephane Leroux (@StephRDSJunior) May 12, 2025

– Nice compliment for Scotty Bowman.

Hockey Hall of Famer is impressed with the Habs coach. https://t.co/7sQRsvxpRD

– TVA Sports (@TVASports) May 12, 2025

– The Wildcats are strong.

Vincent Collard plays hero in 2nd overtime period.

Moncton leads series 2-0.

Next game in Rimouski Wednesday night. #QMJHL

– Mikaël Lalancette (@MikLalancette) May 12, 2025