Ducks Defenseman Radko Gudas Confirms He WILL PLAY Against Maple Leafs Monday Night
He was in a walking boot after suffering a potential high ankle sprain four days ago. But much-demonized Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas has confirmed today that he WILL PLAY against the Toronto Maple Leafs Monday night, and is ready to take his medicine, so to speak, for the brutal knee-on-knee hit that ended Auston Matthews' season.
🚨BREAKING: Radko Gudas will OFFICIALLY PLAY tonight against the Leafs in Anaheim for the first time since his dirty knee-on-knee hit on Auston Matthews that ended Matthews’ season on March 17.
— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) March 30, 2026
Gudas, who was suspended for 5 games for the hit, picked up an injury on Monday but… pic.twitter.com/0a8KoW8RaI
Gudas explained to the media why he's playing through an injury in this game, when he knows there will be some payback from the Leafs for his actions:
“Stand behind my own mistakes. I want to address it myself.”
Sportsnet columnist Eric Engels commented on what this move by Gudas says about hockey players.
NBA: need more load management.
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) March 30, 2026
NHL: need to shed my walking boot and play through a high ankle sprain so I can let the other team avenge that dirty hit I threw three weeks ago.
Gudas received a five-game suspension from NHL Player Safety for his dirty hit, which caused all sorts of controversy around the league, as most felt the punishment was light. Matthews suffered a torn MCL and is out for the season.
Infamously, Leafs players have been lambasted all over hockey for their total lack of response to the brutal play at the time. But now they'll get their chance to 'make things right.'
The Ducks, for their part, are battling to maintain their first-place standing in the Pacific Division, and are probably not pleased that Gudas is insisting on going out there risking further injury, but it appears that Gudas has won this fight.
The next one comes at the Honda Center on Monday night.
