The Maple Leafs are looking forward to the playoffs and the New Jersey Devils are already eliminated from the playoffs. Towards the end of the second period, Devils rookie defender Simon Nemec delivered a significant hit on Leafs forward Auston Matthews and started to push him around.
Reacting swiftly, Max Domi jumped in to defend Matthews, engaging in a physical altercation with Nemec.
Despite Domi's instigator penalty, his actions earned him applause from the crowd as he exited the ice. With the game tied at 4, both teams entered the third period with heightened anticipation.
