Anaheim Ducks defenceman Radko Gudas will have a hearing on Friday for kneeing after his knee-on-knee hit forced Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews out of Thursday night’s game.
According to TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston, Gudas’ hearing will be over the phone, which means he cannot be suspended for more than five games.
Gudas drew a major penalty and a game misconduct, and Leafs head coach Craig Berube called it a “dirty play” after Toronto’s 6-4 victory.
In the second period, Matthews attempted to make a move around Gudas in front of the Ducks’ net and the veteran blueliner caught Matthews’s left knee on the way by, sending him to the ice in obvious pain. Matthews stayed down and required help to get to the dressing room.
“He’s done a few of those before in his career,” Toronto winger Matthew Knies said of Gudas.
Gudas was responsible for the hit that knocked Canada captain Sidney Crosby out of Milano Cortina 2026 last month in the quarter-final, although he was not penalized on that play.
“We [got] to be on top of him,” Gudas told reporters at Thursday’s morning skate before the hit. “We got to make sure that he doesn’t get space in the middle of the ice … make his night’s not enjoyable.”
Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville defended Gudas Thursday night.
“There’s no premeditation,” Quenneville said. “Reflexes did it.”
Matthews had a goal in 13:18 before departing Thursday’s game, bringing him to 27 on the season with 53 points.
