We are finally seeing a version of Max Domi that is productive and giving the Maple Leafs an injection of offense at the right time, setting them up for success down the line.
There has been some discussion surrounding Max Domi and whether or not he still fits in the Maple Leafs lineup, given his inconsistent offensive production, and lack of defensive help. He's bounced around the lineup, not yet cementing himself as a staple on a particular line.
However recently he has been trusted to help lead the offense on the top line, and so far in a small sample size, we're seeing a much more improved Domi.
Max Domi's recent stretch shows a new side of the veteran forward
Over this past four games, Domi has five points (1 goal, 4 assists), a plus-3, no penalties and eight shots. It's a huge turnaround from a player who had only two points over his last 12 games prior to this stretch.
He's looking a lot more confident, and while he is certainly going to pass the puck more than shoot, he's starting to get more comfortable letting it fly. There's a bit more pep in his step, and he isn't making as many defensive errors.
It's also interesting to note that Domi is shooting the puck at a decently hard rate and actually ranks in the 93rd percentile in average shot speed at 61.85 mph (according to publicly available NHL EDGE data), so for someone who is hesitant to let it fly at times, he should actually be shooting more.
Domi being glued to Matthews' wing not only helps him offensively, but gives the Maple Leafs a lot more help defensively too. They no longer have to rely on him to be a center, and he can let Matthews and Matthew Knies cover the defensive aspects.
How Max Domi's consistency helps Toronto's bottom-six
It also gives Toronto a chance to run with lines that actually suit their style. Right now, the third line of Nicolas Roy, Dakota Joshua, and Bobby McMann have been on fire, and there's no reason to split them up right now.
Same goes for the fourth line, where Scott Laughton has quietly been a huge part of the team's success, and Nick Robertson is showcasing a lot more edge and grit in addition to more offensive production.
Domi playing with Matthews was always the initial plan this summer, but injuries facilitated the need for Domi to play center, and that stuck for the majority of the season thus far.
But with a new role alongside Auston Matthews and a renewed energy on the ice, the version of Max Domi we're seeing now is not only a breath of fresh air, but also a great sign of things to come later down the road.