TORONTO — Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews left Thursday’s game against Anaheim after taking a knee-on-knee hit from Ducks defenceman Radko Gudas.
The 28-year-old tried to make a move around the blueliner in the slot in the second period but took a direct blow to his left leg before crashing to the ice.
Matthews stayed down before being helped to the locker room.
Radko Gudas goes knee-on-knee with Auston Matthews. Gudas received a minute major pending review. Auston Matthews was down for a while but has gotten back to his feet. pic.twitter.com/Rxf6xIe1GH
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 13, 2026
Gudas, a bruising defender whose hit ended Canadian captain Sidney Crosby’s Olympics in the quarterfinals while playing for Czechia, was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct.
Radko Gudas has been ejected from the game for kneeing and Auston Matthews has gone to the dressing room. pic.twitter.com/wTiR9t7Tzw
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 13, 2026
Matthews snapped a 12-game goal drought earlier in the period on a power play.
Toronto’s star centre has 53 points (27 goals, 26 assists) in 60 contests this season.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 12, 2026.
Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
