A significant incident took place during a recent NHL game between the Anaheim Ducks and the Toronto Maple Leafs, resulting in the ejection of Radko Gudas. The game unfolded on a Thursday night and highlighted a concerning knee-on-knee collision involving Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews.
Gudas Ejected Following Knee Collision with Leafs’ Matthews
The collision occurred late in the second period. Auston Matthews, while possessing the puck in the Ducks’ zone, attempted to avoid Gudas as the defenseman lunged forward. Gudas extended his leg, resulting in a knee-on-knee hit that left Matthews in visible pain.
Game Impact and Penalties
Following the incident, Gudas received a five-minute major penalty for kneeing along with a game misconduct. Matthews was unable to continue and exited the ice after registering 13:18 of ice time through 14 shifts.
- Matthews recorded two shots on goal in the game.
- He managed to deliver one hit before leaving the ice.
- The Leafs capitalized on the ensuing power play, with John Tavares scoring to tie the game at three.
Matthews’ Season Performance
This injury adds to a challenging season for Auston Matthews. So far, he has tallied 27 goals and 27 assists, accumulating 53 points through 59 games. This performance is a stark contrast to his career-highs of 69 goals and 107 points achieved during the 2023-24 season.
Previous Incidents Involving Gudas
This incident marks the second significant hit by Radko Gudas on a star player this season. Earlier, he collided with Canada’s Sidney Crosby during the 2026 Winter Olympics. That hit also resulted in Crosby being unable to continue in the tournament.
As the situation with Matthews develops, fans and analysts will closely monitor his recovery and the impact on the Maple Leafs’ season. Further updates will be provided by El-Balad as more information becomes available.
