Maple Leafs Prepare for Ducks Amid Gudas Injury and Matthews Incident

The Toronto Maple Leafs are gearing up for a pivotal matchup against the Anaheim Ducks, a game that has been circled on their calendar since their last encounter on March 12. That meeting was marred by a controversial incident when Ducks captain Radko Gudas delivered a knee-on-knee hit to Auston Matthews, ultimately sidelining the Maple Leafs’ captain for the remainder of the season.

In the aftermath of the hit, Maple Leafs forward Max Domi expressed the team’s eagerness for retribution, stating, “We’ll see ‘em in a couple of weeks.” However, as the game approaches, the status of Gudas has become uncertain. The defenseman suffered a lower-body injury during a matchup against the Calgary Flames and was seen leaving Scotiabank Saddledome in a walking boot. He did not play in the Ducks’ recent 4-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Gudas is determined to face the Maple Leafs on Monday, but his participation hinges on clearance from the team’s medical staff. Gudas is acutely aware of the potential backlash he could face from Toronto players, who are likely to seek retribution for the hit on Matthews.

The Maple Leafs’ response to the incident has been scrutinized, especially after their lackluster performance in a 5-1 defeat to the St. Louis Blues. Forward William Nylander acknowledged the significance of the upcoming game, stating, “It’s obviously a game that means a lot for our side, so we’ll be pretty fired up.”

Head coach Craig Berube voiced his frustration over the team’s recent efforts, criticizing the players for lacking motivation and compete level. This loss has left the Leafs with one of the league’s worst records by points percentage at .507, raising concerns about their future, including the status of their first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

As the season winds down with only eight games remaining, the Leafs appear to be navigating a challenging stretch, seemingly waiting for the season to conclude. However, the prospect of facing the Ducks, particularly in light of the Gudas incident, could inject some much-needed energy into their play. Even if Gudas is unable to suit up, the anticipation of physical play and potential fights adds an intriguing layer to the matchup.

Berube cautioned his players about maintaining discipline, stating, “You can’t go out and do stupid things—suspensions and things like that. That’s not what it’s all about. But we definitely have to go out and play a physical, hard game against that team.” With tensions running high, Monday’s game at Honda Center promises to be a compelling affair.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.