Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews was injured in the second period of Thursday’s game against the visiting Anaheim Ducks after taking a knee-on-knee hit from defenceman Radko Gudas.

The Maple Leafs, who beat the Ducks 6-4 for their first win since returning from the Olympic break, announced early in the third period that Matthews would not return with a lower-body injury.

Gudas, the captain of the Ducks, received a five minute major and game misconduct for the hit.

Radko Gudas goes knee-on-knee with Auston Matthews. Gudas received a minute major pending review. Auston Matthews was down for a while but has gotten back to his feet. pic.twitter.com/Rxf6xIe1GH

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 13, 2026

John Tavares scored on the ensuing power play to tie the game at 3-3 heading into the final period. William Nylander scored early in the third period on the same power play to take the lead.

The incident happened with just over four minutes remaining in the second period when Matthews received a pass near the front of the Ducks net.

Matthews, who scored his 27th goal of the season earlier in the period on the power play, attempted to avoid a charging Gudas, but ended up colliding with the veteran blueliner, who was sticking out his knee.

Gudas, a native of Czech Republic, was also the player that took out Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby in the Olympic quarter-final last month in Milan. Crosby was unable to return to the tournament as Canada fell in the gold medal game to the United States.

Gudas has a history of being suspended by the NHL Department of Player Safety. As a member of the Philadelphia Flyers, Gudas received a 10-game suspension for a slash across the neck of Winnipeg Jets forward Mathieu Perreault in November 2017.

He was also suspended six games in October 2016 for interference against Boston Bruins forward Austin Czarnik and three games for a headshot against Ottawa Senators forward Mika Zibanejad in December 2015.

Gudas was suspended again in 2019 for high-sticking Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov.

The 28-year-old Matthews has 53 points in 60 games this season, his 10th in the NHL.

Gudas, 35, has two goals and 11 assists over 52 games in 2025-26, his third campaign in Anaheim.