‘Kulikov hit on Marner was 10 times worse’: Leafs coach Berube reacts to Domi’s hit on Barkov

A couple of borderline hits have led to some extra discussions.

In the closing moments of the Florida Panthers 2-0 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 4 of the Atlantic Division Final, a large skirmish broke out following a hit thrown by Maple Leafs forward Max Domi on Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov.

Domi knocked Barkov down from behind, with the Finnish center standing just a few feet away from the boards.

Domi was given a five-minute major penalty for boarding. The NHL Department of Player Safety announced he was fined $5,000 for boarding Barkov, the maximum allowable under the current collective bargaining agreement.

Leafs head coach Craig Berube was asked about the incident at the end of the game. The Stanley Cup-winning bench boss pointed a hit earlier in the game that saw Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov catch Toronto forward Mitch Marner up high with a clear elbow.

“To me,” Berube explained. “The Kulikov hit on Marner was 10 times worse.”

There was no call on Kulikov’s hit on the former London Knight, and Marner was able to continue to play for the remainder of the game, even though he briefly looked dazed after the collision.

Berube was asked about how the intensity is ramping up in the series, which has seen the Panthers claw back after falling behind 2-0 in Toronto, winning both games in Sunrise.

“We expected it, and I think we’re fine with it. We’re handling it, we’re physical. I thought we were the more physical team last night.”

The statistics didn’t lie, as Toronto out-hit Florida on Sunday night, 47-40. However, the Leafs were certainly chasing the game, getting outshot 37-23.

Game 5 will see the two teams return to Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday night. Puck drop is scheduled for shortly after 7 p.m. ET.