NHL Fight at Maple Leafs–Kings Game Ends in Unpredictable Way

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Brandon Carlo hadn’t dropped the gloves in nearly two years, but he brought back his fighting chops on Saturday.

Just over three minutes into the 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings, Carlo found himself trading punches with Jeff Mallot, who was playing only his second NHL game.

The bout got started in front of the Leafs crease and lasted nearly 25 seconds, as Carlo and Mallot each delivered and landed a barrage of punches before referees intervened.

What made this fight notable, however, was the unexpected scene afterward.

BRANDON CARLO AND JEFF MALOTT ARE CHUCKING BOMBS 💣
pic.twitter.com/KiK811Ej83

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) March 29, 2025

Both players, already sitting side-by-side in the penalty box, were seen laughing, giving thumbs up to each other, and acknowledging the mutual respect they earned from each other after agreeing to enter the fight.

“It just happened fast,” Carlo said after Toronto’s 3–1 win. “He asked if I wanted to go, so I said yes. Good on his part.”

Marco Sturm, Malott’s coach with the Ontario Reign in the AHL, said after the game that he saw the Jeff Malott fight, via Kyle Garcia. “Whoever was in that room was so loud and jacked up,” Sturm said. “It was Jeff Malott’s fight.

It was a good one.” Garcia added that Sturm told him he “is afraid he won’t see him in Ontario anymore. ”

After a spirited tilt Brandon Carlo and Jeff Malott shared a laugh together afterwards in the penalty box

Hockey players are just different 🤣 pic.twitter.com/zQpviEGdZO

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) March 29, 2025

Carlo praised Mallot during his post-game media availability for taking on such a brutal challenge just two games into his NHL career.

“I think he’s been just in a couple games,” Carlo said. “I think he appreciated that I went in. I appreciate the same thing from him. I have a lot of respect for guys that step up in that way, playing with them, going against them.

“So afterwards, just kind of saying ‘good job’ and moving on from there.”

With the victory, Toronto (44–25–4, 92 points) reclaimed first place in the Atlantic Division, narrowly overtaking the Florida Panthers (91 points), although with one more game played than the latter.