Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Auston Matthews snapped a 12-game goal drought against the Anaheim Ducks tonight but the moment was short-lived.
UPDATE: Matthews left the game after taking a hit from Radko Gudas and the Maple Leafs have confirmed he will not return due to a lower body injury.
Auston Matthews finally broke his goal streak against Anaheim, and then left moments later due to injury.
Matthews left the game after taking a hit
from Radko Gudas. Before exiting, Matthews had scored his first goal in 12 games, snapping a drought that spanned the Maple Leafs’ eight-game recent losing streak.
A goal from Matthews came off the Leafs power play, receiving a stretch pass from Matthew Knies off the faceoff dot in the corner.
Having last scored January 27th against Buffalo, Matthews went through a scoring drought that included through the Olympics break.
The happy moment for Matthews wouldn’t last as moments later, a knee-on-knee from Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas sent Matthews to the ground.
In clear discomfort, Matthews struggled to get up and had to be helped off the ice by a trainer. Gudas was assessed a five minute major and a game misconduct.
Gudas is little stranger to controversy over his aggressiveness, having faced criticism over the hit during the Olympics that knocked Sidney Crosby out of the tournament for Canada.
A positive moment for Auston Matthews being wrecked by injury, a similar heartbreak as Crosby’s loss for Canada, at the same hand.
Further updates on Matthews will likely be provided by head coach Craig Berube, although more may not be known on his status until tomorrow.
The Radko Gudas hit on Matthews is
already dividing Leafs fans
Toronto Maple Leafs fans are already livid about the incident between Auston Matthews and Radko Gudas, and clear disdain for the Ducks defenseman.
Multiple fans are already criticizing Gudas for what is perceived to have been a dirty play, heated emotions for a player with a history of playing overly aggressive.
If Leafs fans were livid, Ducks fans aren’t that much happier, criticizing their captain for an unnecessary hit that got him tossed from the game.
It could be the end of Auston Matthews’ season, and it didn’t look good for him leaving the ice, grimacing in clear pain, and it would be the cherry on top of a disappointing year.
What will be looked for now is if Radko Gudas faces a suspension for the incident.
Previously on Hockey Patrol
POLL
55 MINUTES AGO|31 ANSWERS
Auston Matthews scores first goal in 12 games, but exits after Radko Gudas knee-on-knee hit
Will Auston Matthews miss the rest of the season?