BOSTON — Max Domi wanted to get under the Boston Bruins’ skin in Game 1, but the Toronto Maple Leafs forward did more harm than good for his team.
It started early for Domi, who exchanged words with Brad Marchand before the puck even dropped to open the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs that led to the on-ice official having a lengthy discussion with Domi. While the forward got Charlie McAvoy to take a penalty at the end of the first period, his play on the ice was reckless.
His slashing penalty on Marchand led to Jake DeBrusk’s second power play goal of the night, which all but solidified the Bruins’ 5-1 win at TD Garden.
“Careless penalties. Domi’s penalty is the one that I would call an undisciplined penalty,” Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said after the game. “I understand what he’s trying to do, but he crossed the line there, and can’t do that. The others are just, you know, the two high sticks, that’s just carelessness. This time of year, you just have to dial it in. You can’t allow your stick to get up like that.”
The Maple Leafs took five penalties in Saturday’s loss with the Bruins capitalizing on two of those opportunities. Toronto looked more focused on trying to be physical against a tough Boston team, but it backfired on them in the end.
Now the Leafs must play from behind and avoid going back to Toronto in a 2-0 hole when the two teams return to action for Game 2 on Monday night at TD Garden.