Matthews Injured After Knee-On-Knee Collision: Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews suffered a lower-body injury after a knee-on-knee collision with Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas during Thursday night’s game in Toronto.
The incident occurred late in the second period when Gudas skated into Matthews near the Ducks’ net. The contact forced Matthews to the ice, and he immediately grabbed his left knee while in visible pain.
Officials reviewed the play and assessed Gudas a five-minute major penalty for kneeing along with a game misconduct, resulting in his ejection from the game.
Matthews was helped off the ice by team staff and did not return for the remainder of the matchup.
Matthews Leaves Game Shortly After Scoring
The injury happened just minutes after Matthews ended a difficult scoring stretch. The Maple Leafs star had recently scored a power-play goal, breaking a 12-game goal drought.
Despite the momentum from the goal, the night quickly turned concerning for Toronto when Matthews went down following the collision.
Radko Gudas received a 5-minute major and a game misconduct for kneeing Auston Matthews.
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) March 13, 2026
Matthews has since left the game 🤕 pic.twitter.com/E8lc8MjvJh
Key Timeline of Events
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Matthews scores | Ends 12-game goal drought |
| Collision occurs | Knee-on-knee contact with Radko Gudas |
| Penalty issued | 5-minute major for kneeing |
| Additional punishment | Game misconduct for Gudas |
| Matthews status | Left game, did not return |
Maple Leafs Confirm Lower-Body Injury
Following the incident, the Maple Leafs announced that Matthews would not return to the game due to a lower-body injury.
After the hit, the star center struggled to put weight on his left leg as he headed toward the locker room. The team will likely monitor the situation closely before providing a more detailed medical update.
Toronto fans and teammates were visibly concerned as Matthews left the ice.
Toronto Wins Game Despite Losing Their Star
Even without their captain for the final period, the Maple Leafs managed to secure a 6–4 victory over the Anaheim Ducks.
Toronto scored two goals in the third period to close out the win and snap an eight-game losing streak.
While the victory brought some relief, the focus quickly shifted to Matthews’ health and the seriousness of the injury.
Matthews’ Importance to the Maple Leafs
Matthews remains the most important player in Toronto’s lineup and one of the league’s elite goal scorers.
Auston Matthews 2026 Season Stats
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 60 |
| Goals | 27 |
| Assists | 26 |
| Points | 53 |
The three-time Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner continues to be the centerpiece of Toronto’s offense.
Any extended absence could significantly affect the team’s performance moving forward.
Radko Gudas’ Hit Sparks Controversy
The collision quickly drew attention around the hockey world, especially because Gudas has been involved in several controversial plays during his career.
The Ducks defenseman has previously received multiple suspensions in the NHL.
Radko Gudas Suspension History
| Year | Incident | Suspension |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Headshot on Mika Zibanejad | 3 games |
| 2016 | Headshot on Austin Czarnik | 6 games |
| 2017 | Slash on Mathieu Perreault | 10 games |
| 2019 | High stick on Nikita Kucherov | 2 games |
The incident also came shortly after another controversial moment involving Gudas earlier in the year, when a collision during international competition injured Sidney Crosby.
Maple Leafs Facing Difficult Season
The Maple Leafs have struggled throughout the season and currently sit near the bottom of their division.
Toronto Team Record
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Wins | 28 |
| Losses | 27 |
| Overtime Losses | 11 |
Although the team is unlikely to reach the playoffs this year, the main concern now is the health of their franchise player.
The team’s medical staff will likely conduct further evaluations to determine the severity of the injury.
Because the Maple Leafs are not in playoff contention, the organization may take a cautious approach and avoid rushing Matthews back into the lineup.
Protecting the long-term health of their star player will remain the top priority.
Auston Matthews’ injury overshadowed what should have been a positive night for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team managed to secure a win against the Ducks, but losing their captain to a knee injury immediately shifted attention away from the result.
With Matthews playing a central role in Toronto’s offense, his health will be closely watched in the coming days. Fans and teammates alike will hope the injury is not serious and that the superstar center can return to the ice soon.
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