Maple Leafs’ Matthews exits after Gudas ejected for knee-on-knee hit

Captain Auston Matthews left Thursday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks after colliding knee-on-knee with Radko Gudas in the second period.

Matthews stayed down on the ice in obvious pain after the hit before he was helped off the ice by training staff.

After the game, head coach Craig Berube said Matthews will be evaluated further on Friday. He referred to it as a “dirty” hit.

Gudas received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for kneeing.

Prior to his exit, Matthews had 13:18 in playing time with one goal — breaking his 12-game goalless drought — and two shots.

For the season, the 28-year-old Matthews has 27 goals and 53 points.

Gudas, captain of the Ducks, has been suspended four times in his NHL career, with the last coming in 2019.

He also was responsible for the hit that injured Canada captain Sidney Crosby at the Olympics.