Auston Matthews injury sparks outrage as Craig Berube blasts ‘dirty play’ by Radko Gudas and predicts looming suspension

Auston Matthews' injury quickly became the defining moment of what should have been a celebratory night for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Toronto stormed back from a two goal deficit to defeat the Anaheim Ducks 6-4 on Thursday, but the victory felt secondary after their captain limped off the ice following a troubling knee collision with Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas.

Moments earlier, the Leafs had been clawing their way back into the game. Matthews had already scored on the power play to narrow Anaheim’s lead, helping ignite Toronto’s push. Then came the hit. The knee on knee contact left the 28 year old star in visible pain, and the building shifted from roaring momentum to uneasy silence. Toronto eventually completed the comeback, yet the real concern lingered long after the final horn.

Craig Berube accuses Radko Gudas of dirty hit that left Auston Matthews injured

The play unfolded in the second period while the Ducks held a 3-2 lead. Matthews was moving through the neutral zone when Gudas stepped into him, leading to the knee on knee contact that sent the Leafs captain down hard. Officials reviewed the play and assessed Gudas a five minute major for kneeing along with a game misconduct.

Toronto coach Craig Berube did not hold back when speaking about the incident afterward.

“Dirty Play. League's going to obviously look at it and see what the suspension will be or whatever happens.”



The ejection immediately put Toronto on a lengthy power play, and the Leafs took advantage. John Tavares tied the game with a power play goal during the major penalty, swinging the momentum back toward Toronto. Later, in the third period, William Nylander added another power play goal that ultimately pushed the Leafs ahead for good.

Still, the focus after the game remained on Matthews and on whether the hit would lead to discipline from the league. The NHL’s safety department quickly confirmed the situation was under review.

“Anaheim's Radko Gudas will have a hearing today for kneeing Toronto's Auston Matthews,” the NHL Player Safety wrote on X.

The scrutiny is not surprising. Gudas has drawn criticism before for heavy hits that cross the line. Earlier this year during Olympic play, he delivered a blow that sidelined Sidney Crosby during Canada’s quarterfinal matchup with Czechia. Crosby has not returned to action since that injury, which only adds weight to the current situation.

For Toronto, the bigger issue is Matthews’ health. The organization will learn more about the severity of the injury in the coming days. Depending on the diagnosis, caution could become the guiding approach. With limited stakes left this season, rushing their franchise centerpiece back onto the ice would carry significant risk.

The Leafs managed to escape with two points. Whether they escaped without long term damage to their captain remains the far more important question.


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