Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas announced he will take the ice Monday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, despite dealing with a lower-body injury that kept him out of Saturday’s game.
The matchup carries significant tension after Gudas delivered a knee-on-knee blow that ended Toronto star Auston Matthews’ season on March 12. The NHL handed Gudas a five-game suspension for the illegal contact, though Toronto players didn’t immediately retaliate during that March contest.
“It’s on me for not responding earlier to Gudas,” said Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly, who was on the ice when the incident occurred. “Obviously, it’s a dirty hit. I didn’t understand how bad he got him in the moment, but I take full responsibility for not being the first one in there or not being in there quicker to respond.”
The 35-year-old Gudas sustained his current injury during Thursday’s matchup with Calgary and was spotted wearing a walking boot. He missed Saturday’s contest against Edmonton but refuses to use the ailment as an excuse to avoid what could be a heated encounter with the Leafs.
“I think it’s gonna be an intense game. Yeah, one of the reasons why I wanted to play, you know, address things,” Gudas explained to media during Monday’s practice session. “You never want to watch your team play without you. I’m doing everything to play these games.”
“… Stand behind my own mistakes. I want to address it myself. So, that’s one of the reasons one hundred percent. It’s one of those games where I – where I have to play,” he added.
Matthews suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear and quad contusion from Gudas’ hit, requiring season-ending surgery on March 19. The injury effectively ended Toronto’s playoff hopes.
Currently in his 14th NHL campaign, Gudas has recorded two goals and 11 assists across 54 games this season, accumulating 45 penalty minutes. Throughout his career spanning stints with Tampa Bay (2012-15), Philadelphia (2015-19), Washington (2019-20), Florida (2020-23), and Anaheim, he has compiled 42 goals, 169 assists, and 1,102 penalty minutes over 883 games.
The Ducks enter Monday’s game with a 41-28-4 record and 86 points, maintaining a three-point advantage over Edmonton for the Pacific Division lead with nine contests remaining in the regular season.
