Habs’ Domi sucker punches Ekblad

Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo said Max Domi’s sucker punch on Aaron Ekblad was “gutless.”

Domi was given a match penalty for punching Ekblad in the nose in the third period in the Panthers’ 5-2 exhibition victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night.

Ekblad left the game, at the NHL’s request, and did not return. He went through tests after the game and cleared concussion protocol.

“I’m sure the league will look at it and we definitely won’t forget about it,” said Luongo, who played the first two periods. “You don’t do that. You respect your opponents and if your opponent doesn’t want to engage in a fight, there’s no reason to drop your glove and punch him square in the face. Bit of a gutless play. You don’t do those types of things.”

With the Canadiens losing 2-1 at the start of the third period, Domi — acquired from Arizona in the off-season — began tugging on Ekblad’s shirt, asking him to fight. With the Florida star showing no interest to drop the gloves, Domi punched him in the face twice with two lefts, but still Ekblad didn’t respond. That’s when Domi dropped his right glove and sucker punched him in the nose.

The bloodied Ekblad dropped to the ice. Domi was given a minor, major and match penalty.

Evgenii Dadonov and Jared McCann each scored twice for Florida, and Nick Bjugstad added an empty-net goal.

Matthew Peca and Nikita Scherbak scored for the Canadiens

FLYERS 6, RANGERS 4

Oskar Lindblom had two goals and an assist to help Philadelphia beat New York.

MAPLE LEAFS 4, SENATORS 1

At Ottawa, Ontario, Tyler Ennis scored twice and Toronto beat Ottawa to sweep the two-game preseason series.

RED WINGS 3, PENGUINS 2, OT

At Detroit, Michael Rasmussen scored 1:32 into overtime to lift Detroit past Pittsburgh.

HURRICANES 6, LIGHTNING 1

At Raleigh, North Carolina, Janne Kuokkanen had a goal and two assists in Carolina’s victory over Tampa Bay.

Dougie Hamilton, Martin Necas, Michael Ferland, Julien Gauthier and Jaccob Slavin also scored.

BLUES 3, WILD 2

At Des Moines, Iowa, Tyler Bozak scored twice in a 27-second span to push St. Louis past Minnesota.

BRUINS 3, FLAMES 1

In Beijing, Jake DeBrusk scored twice, Tuukka Rask made 22 saves and Boston beat Calgary to sweep the two-game O.R.G. NHL China Games.

Kevan Miller added an empty-netter. Sean Monahan scored for Calgary.