Less than one month after injuring Penguins star Sidney Crosby at the Olympics, Anaheim Ducks defender Radko Gudas has done the same to Leafs star Auston Matthews. Late in the second period of Thursday’s game in Toronto, Gudas kneed Matthews in front of Anaheim’s net.
Gudas was given a five-minute major penalty for kneeing and was ejected. Matthews left the game.
The Leafs later announced that Matthews would not return due to a lower-body injury.
At the Milan Cortino Olympics, Gudas inflicted a similar injury on Crosby. In the quarterfinal game between Czechia and Canada, Gudas collided with and then fell on top of the three-time Cup winner. Crosby missed the gold-medal game and has not suited up for the Penguins since, though he is expected to return soon.
Gudas, 35, has two goals, 11 assists, and 45 penalty minutes this season. His blue line got shored up last week with the addition of Washington Capitals legend John Carlson, who was traded for picks at the deadline.
Minutes before the injury, Matthews had just broken a 12-game goalless streak with a one-timer on the power play.
Gudas’ Ducks currently lead the Pacific Division. The Leafs are in last place in the Atlantic Division.
