The NHL suspended Anaheim Ducks captain Radko Gudas for five games after his knee-on-knee hit ended Auston Matthews's season. The Toronto Maple Leafs star suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear and quad contusion during Thursday's 6-4 win over Anaheim. Matthews will miss the remainder of the regular season and be reevaluated in two weeks.

Gudas's agent, Judd Moldaver, blasted the NHL's decision as "laughable and preposterous," arguing that a phone hearing and five-game maximum suspension was inadequate for such a severe injury. The Department of Player Safety determined that Gudas led with his left knee while attempting to check Matthews, causing a direct collision. This marks Gudas's fifth suspension in his 14-year NHL career, with previous bans totaling 21 games.

Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube called the play "dirty" while Ducks coach Joel Quenneville claimed there was "no premeditation." Gudas argued he was attempting a full-body check, but the NHL ruled he had the responsibility to deliver a legal hit. The incident has sparked criticism in Toronto about the team's lack of response, with defenseman Morgan Rielly taking responsibility for not confronting Gudas immediately after the injurious play.