Auston Matthews Injury & Maple Leafs’ Response: Ducks Game Recap | NHL News
TORONTO — The Toronto Maple Leafs ended an eight-game losing streak with a 6-4 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on night, but the win was overshadowed by a knee-on-knee hit that left captain Auston Matthews injured and the team grappling with a sense of frustration and, for some, a lack of immediate response.
The incident occurred at of the second period. Matthews attempted to evade a check from Ducks captain Radko Gudas, resulting in a forceful knee-on-knee collision. Gudas was immediately assessed a five-minute major penalty for kneeing and a game misconduct. Matthews was helped off the ice by a trainer and teammate Brandon Carlo, unable to put significant weight on his left leg.
“It’s a dirty play,” Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said after the game. “The League is obviously going to look at it and see what the suspension will be. Or whatever happens.”
Whereas the league will review the play, the immediate aftermath sparked considerable internal discussion within the Maple Leafs’ locker room. Berube expressed his displeasure not only with Gudas’ hit but similarly with the lack of an immediate reaction from his players. For several moments after the hit, none of Matthews’ teammates engaged with Gudas, a lack of response that drew criticism from the coach.
“No. Obviously, we should have four guys in there doing something about it, but it didn’t happen,” Berube stated when asked about the absence of an immediate response from his team.
The lack of retribution was a significant point of contention during the second intermission, according to multiple Maple Leafs players. The conversation appeared to ignite a more physical response in the third period, where Toronto outscored Anaheim 3-1 to secure the victory. However, Berube acknowledged that a more immediate reaction would have been preferable.
“I thought we responded in the third. A good response there,” Berube said. “But we all would have liked everyone to get in there right away.”
Matthews’ injury comes at a particularly challenging time for the Maple Leafs, who had been struggling to find consistency. The captain had recently ended a season-long 12-game goal drought with a power-play goal earlier in the game, before being injured. His absence will undoubtedly be felt both on and off the ice.
The Ducks, meanwhile, are no strangers to controversy surrounding Gudas. The New York Times noted that Gudas was also involved in an incident during the 2026 Olympics that prematurely ended Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby’s tournament. That previous incident drew significant online criticism.
Anaheim coach Joel Quenneville offered a more measured response, stating, “It was a tough penalty. It was a penalty. I’m not complaining about the call. There was no premeditation. It was just reflexes that did it. … I’ll leave it up to them (the NHL’s Department of Player Safety). I don’t know. But I know it’s just one of those split-second moves. We’ll see….”
The win against the Ducks snapped an 0-6-2 losing streak for Toronto, providing a much-needed boost to their playoff hopes. However, the victory feels hollow in the wake of Matthews’ injury and the questions surrounding the team’s response to the hit. The Maple Leafs will await further evaluation of Matthews’ injury on , and the NHL is expected to review Gudas’ play and determine any potential disciplinary action.
The incident has also sparked debate among fans, with many questioning the Maple Leafs’ lack of physicality and immediate response to the injury of their captain. The team’s failure to retaliate in the moment has been widely discussed on social media, with some fans expressing disappointment and frustration. The coming days will be crucial as the Maple Leafs navigate the fallout from this incident, both on and off the ice.