Toronto Maple Leafs demote Max Domi to new forward line
The Toronto Maple Leafs were buzzing after their first Battle of Ontario playoff matchup since 2004.
Picking up a big 6-2 win on Sunday night over the Ottawa Senators in Game 1 of their first-round matchup, the Leafs — and their fans — didn’t have a whole lot to complain about after a relatively smooth victory.
It was a game that featured plenty of physicality between the two teams, resulting in three Toronto power-play goals, including two right off the faceoff, and several post-whistle dustups between the two provincial rivals.
For those who remembered the physicality of former Leafs enforcer Tie Domi, a staple of 24 playoff games against Ottawa from 2000-2004, it was a blast to the past seeing his son Max get involved in a late-game fight with Ottawa’s Adam Gaudette.
Max Domi lands the uppercut 😳 pic.twitter.com/x4MwSoJMKp
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 21, 2025
One person the younger Domi is still out to impress these playoffs is head coach Craig Berube.
Per TSN’s Mark Masters, Domi has been bumped down to third-line centre after starting the playoff series as the second-line left wing. The move came midway through Game 1, as he was flipped out for Pontus Holmberg.
As per Natural Stat Trick, Domi spent about four minutes at 5v5 with McMann and Robertson, while spending seven with Tavares and Nylander before the swap.
Domi had eight goals and 25 assists in 74 games for Toronto this season, in comparison to seven goals and 12 assists in 68 games for Holmberg.
If the Leafs make no more changes before tomorrow night’s Game 2, here’s how they’ll shake out:
- Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner
- Pontus Holmberg-John Tavares-William Nylander
- Bobby McMann-Max Domi–Nick Robertson
- Steven Lorentz-Scott Laughton-Calle Jarnkrok
Toronto has a chance to take their first 2-0 series lead since their 2002 first-round matchup against the New York Islanders, in a year when they advanced to the Eastern Conference Final.