Max Domi was dinged by the National Hockey League on Monday.
The Maple Leafs forward was fined $5,000 by the NHL’s department of player safety for elbowing Philadelphia Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway during the third period of the Leafs’ 3-2 overtime win on Sunday at Scotiabank Arena.
Domi was assessed a minor penalty — and it was not a smart one to take, as it came deep in the offensive zone and with the game tied 2-2 at 5:13 of the third.
Domi, who did not speak to media after the game, was fortunate that the Leafs killed the penalty and went on to win when Morgan Rielly scored in overtime.
Domi appeared to have an issue with Hathaway following the fight between Hathaway and Leafs defenceman Jake McCabe in the first period.
That resulted in an upper-body injury for McCabe, who did not return. The Leafs are off on Monday, so no update on McCabe is expected until Tuesday in Philadelphia before the rematch that night with the Flyers.
McCabe tangled with Hathaway after the latter ran over Leafs goalie Dennis Hildeby.
If McCabe is going to be out of the lineup, the expectation would be that the Leafs would recall a defenceman from the Toronto Marlies, perhaps Marshall Rifai or Dakota Mermis, who recently was claimed off waivers from the Utah Hockey Club. Conor Timmins, a healthy scratch the past three games, also is available.
The fine issued to Domi is the maximum allowable under the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement. The money will go to players’ emergency assistance fund.
Through 41 games, Domi and McCabe lead the Leafs in penalty minutes with 32 each.
X: @koshtorontosun