Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi (11) celebrates his goal during third period NHL hockey action against the Calgary Flames, in Toronto, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
GACTORONTO - It has not been an easy season so far for Max Domi.
Entering Tuesday鈥檚 game against the struggling Calgary Flames, Domi had found the back of the net only once through 10 contests while earning zero assists to go with a minus-seven plus/minus total.
Those are disappointing numbers for a veteran who entered training camp as a hopeful to earn a spot alongside star Auston Matthews on the Toronto Maple Leafs鈥 top line.
Alas, an injury in the week leading up to training camp left Domi on the outside looking in. And while he ultimately did not miss any playing time, the lack of training camp runway left Domi a step behind his peers.
On Tuesday, he began the contest centring the fourth line.
A little over three minutes into the second period, Domi found the back of the net to score his second goal of the season and tie the game 1-1.
A period later, he beat Flames netminder Dustin Wolf short-side with 2:04 left in the third to win the game 4-3.
The effort marked a positive step in the right direction for a winger who embraces head coach Craig Berube鈥檚 hard-hitting style.
鈥淚鈥檓 sure it will help (his confidence),鈥 said Berube of Domi post-game. 鈥淗e鈥檚 been good. I think Max, for me, the last three games, has been a different player. Just more engaged and when he鈥檚 an engaged player, he鈥檚 a good player.鈥
After logging a season-low 10:29 on Saturday against Buffalo in a 4-3 overtime win, Domi took on a far more prominent role Tuesday, with his play eventually convincing Berube to double-shift him late in the third period.
Domi rewarded his coach by scoring the game-winner.
鈥淗e鈥檚 got a hot hand right now,鈥 said Berube. 鈥淗e was getting a lot of opportunities, he was competitive on the puck, skating with the puck. So, that鈥檚 why.鈥
Usually more focused as a playmaker, Domi scored both of his goals by utilizing his deceptive shot, beating Wolf short-side on the first and glove-side on the second.
It鈥檚 a skill the team urges him to use more.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not fun to face,鈥 laughed Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz when asked what it was like to try and stop Domi鈥檚 shot in practice.
鈥淗e鈥檚 got a pretty deceptive shot and it鈥檚 pretty heavy as well. I think the biggest thing for him is just getting it off and through their D. I think when he does that, it鈥檚 pretty heavy. So, it鈥檚 tough to react to and tough to stop.鈥
鈥淚t鈥檚 unreal,鈥 added Matthew Knies. 鈥淧icked both sides of the goalie and in key moments, too. So, he played a big part.鈥
With a rough trip on the horizon, including a back-to-back on Wednesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Maple Leafs will need a full team effort to continue to right the ship after a rocky start to the season.
Domi鈥檚 resurgence as a key offensive piece will go lengths in helping them achieve that.
This report by 好色tvwas first published Oct. 28, 2025.
The 好色tv Press. All rights reserved.
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