Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi threw his gloves off in the third period of a close 4-3 hockey game in an attempt to fight Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov, who took Auston Matthews out of the game with a hit during the middle frame.
Instead of dropping his gloves, Zadorov, who is nine inches taller and 47 pounds heavier than Domi, used his body to force the Maple Leafs forward to the ground, avoiding any punishment.
Domi skated straight to the penalty box because he was given a roughing penalty. Zadorov coasted to the Bruins’ bench, where he was saluted by his teammates for not getting involved at a crucial part of the game.
Almost 1:50 later, Domi exited the penalty box because David Pastrnak beat Dennis Hildeby on the man advantage, putting the Bruins up 5-3. Despite some pushback, Toronto left another two points on the board with its third straight loss.
“I mean, listen, it’s part of the game. You don’t want to go to the box in the third period, but at the same time, we’re not going to take a step back,” Domi said after the loss. “That’s part of the game. We finished the way we wanted to finish and I think we just got to build on it.”
Domi necessarily isn’t wrong. He was fighting for his teammates (including Scott Laughton, who Zadorov injured on Saturday), and that’s what you want from a player. However, if Domi had noticed Zadorov wasn’t going to fight him, he could’ve kept his gloves on, potentially avoiding a penalty.
“I don’t know why he gave Domi the roughing on it, to be honest with you,” said Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube. “Because I was watching the referee and he didn’t have his hand up or nothing. I thought it was just going to be five each for fighting. But he thought that he did a little more than (Zadorov).”
Had the Maple Leafs been leading the game by a large margin, then it would’ve made sense for Domi to go after Zadorov. Even then, the Bruins’ defenseman wasn’t going to fight Domi, given the two were former London Knights teammates.
“I’m not going to fight my friends. We won a championship together in OHL, I have respect for Max,” Zadorov told reporters after the game. “And he’s so much smaller than me. It’s a lose-lose for me if I fight him.”
What Domi made clear after the game, though, was that the Maple Leafs don’t want to be a team that’s pushed around. If teammates are going down with injuries because of their opponent, Toronto’s players will step up. And you like to see that — but at the right time.
“We’re not going to take a step back to anyone. No one in this locker room is, and we showed that tonight,” he added.
“I think you do got to give Boston credit. They played well and they capitalized on their opportunities. But like I keep saying, we finished the way we wanted to finish and we just got to focus on that.”
“Buffalo’s offense is sputtering, and some fans are wondering if Brian Daboll could be the cure for what ails them.”
The Buffalo Bills (6-3) have been struggling offensively, with their most recent lackluster performance coming in a 30-13 defeat to the Miami Dolphins. Despite facing one of the league’s worst defenses, Buffalo’s receivers failed to create any separation, and the offense was unable to get anything going through the first three quarters. It’s clear that the Bills’ offensive issues are becoming a growing concern.
However, today’s Buffalo Rumblings report quashed any hopes for those Bills fans calling for a change at offensive coordinator. Head coach Sean McDermott confirmed that Joe Brady would remain the team’s offensive coordinator through the end of the 2025 NFL season. Despite speculation that former offensive coordinator Brian Daboll could be brought back to help turn things around, McDermott swiftly dismissed the idea.
McDermott Shoots Down Daboll Return
When Daboll was fired as head coach of the New York Giants, rumors swirled about the possibility of a reunion with quarterback Josh Allen in Buffalo. McDermott wasted no time in shutting down those rumors, stating that he has confidence in Joe Brady and has no intention of bringing Daboll back to Buffalo.
“At this time, that is not something we are considering,” McDermott said when asked about the possibility of Daboll returning to Western New York.
The question remains: could Daboll have been the solution to Buffalo’s offensive struggles, or is the real issue something deeper? The Bills started the season strong but have since been cold, particularly in their loss to the Dolphins.
Dalton Kincaid’s Injury Puts More Pressure on Offense
Adding to Buffalo’s woes, tight end Dalton Kincaid, who has been one of Josh Allen’s most reliable targets this season, has been officially labeled “week-to-week” after suffering a hamstring injury in the Dolphins’ loss. Kincaid had been a standout, recording 29 catches for 448 yards and four touchdowns—leading the team in both receiving yards and touchdowns this year. His absence could further strain the already struggling offense.
As the Bills continue to deal with a variety of injuries, including to key players like Kincaid, the offense will need to find a way to regain its early-season form. While McDermott has expressed confidence in his current coaching staff, fans are left to wonder if a change in offensive philosophy or leadership might be what’s needed to reignite Buffalo’s high-powered attack.
More Updates on Bills’ Injuries and Roster Moves
As the Bills face a series of injuries, including to key offensive players, the team is also adding new faces to the practice squad. Stay tuned for updates as Buffalo looks to address its depth and find solutions to its current offensive struggles.