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Tom Banks
November 29, 2025  (11:40)

Max Domi of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Photo credit: The Hockey News

Max Domi and the Maple Leafs have been struggling as of late, and now Head Coach Craig Berube has opened up on the decision to scratch the veteran.

The Toronto Maple Leafs always enter the new NHL season with expectations of success, but in 2025/26, those expectations quickly soured as the team have gotten off to a horrendous start.

Things only got worse on Friday with a loss to the Washington Capitals that takes them to 10-11-3 on the season, with hopes of a Stanley Cup Playoffs spot quickly fading in Toronto.

Craig Berube reveals reason behind a surprising decision

There’s plenty of intrigue in Toronto coming out of this game, with Craig Berube deciding to healthy scratch veteran Max Domi in this matchup, a move that some were surprised by and some saw as a long time coming.

Now, Berube has addressed the decision, revealing it was meant simply as a rest for Domi, believing that a night off could be good for the veteran who has struggled in several different roles for Toronto this season.

Again, I have to look at the lineup and what is best for tonight. That is part of it. I talked to him about getting a reset. We will see about tomorrow, and if we get him back in.

In 23 games for the Maple Leafs this season, Domi has 3 goals and 6 points, and given the injuries that have occurred around him, it’s safe to say that the coaching staff were hoping to see more production from the 30-year old.

Ultimately, it appears as though nothing Berube and the team try are working at this point, and while the team are going to try and work hard to push themselves back into a playoff spot, as of right now, things are looking very gloomy in Toronto.

Previously on House Of Hockey

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Craig Berube reveals why he healthy scratched Max Domi

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