Luke Schenn's fight with Tyler Kennedy in the second period last night was a crowd pleaser, but the Leafs were far less enamoured with Kennedy's actions prior to the bout.

Toronto GM Brian Burke phoned NHL disciplinarians last night seeking a review of the incident at 9:36, which the Leafs feel was instigated by Kennedy.

"(Burke) called the league and they are investigating," Leafs coach Ron Wilson said after the Leafs' 5-4 win over Kennedy's Penguins.

"In my opinion, he (Kennedy) came off the bench and instigated the fight, so we'll see what the league's investigation finds."

Kennedy, the Leafs charge, left the bench to seek out Schenn after the Leafs rookie laid a thunderous hit on Penguins star and league-leading scorer Evgeni Malkin.

According to the Leafs, Kennedy also instigated the ensuing fight, which saw Schenn twice topple the Pittsburgh centre. Both acts, should the NHL decide in Toronto's favour, are punishable and could net Kennedy as much as a 10-game suspension.

"He (Kennedy) ended up scoring," Wilson said, referring to Kennedy's tying goal in the third period, one that, in the Leafs' view, should never have happened. "It's a tough situation for the referees, there were a lot of bodies on the ice."

Schenn and Kennedy were handed five-minute majors for fighting. No other penalties were handed out in relation to the incident.

"I was on my way to the (Leaf) bench but he kind of bumped into me ... and he said, `You can't treat our players like that,'" Schenn said. "One thing led to another and then we (were fighting)."

Neither Kennedy nor Malkin commented on the incident, and coach Michel Therrien ended his post-game press conference before addressing the matter. But the Penguins maintain Kennedy was on the ice as part of a line change.

The league rule book outlaws players entering the game (leaving the bench) and instigating a fight after a whistle stoppage or during live action. There is, however, an apparent grey area regarding such actions during a line change.

According to sources, the NHL is reviewing the incident.

If the league hands Kennedy a suspension, it will come either today or before the Penguins' next game, Feb.3 in Montreal.