The Anaheim Ducks welcomed Radko Gudas back to the lineup on Tuesday following a five-game suspension stemming from his season-ending hit on Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews.
Gudas returned in time to face the Vancouver Canucks after serving the ban for his knee-on-knee hit on Matthews, which happened on March 12, that resulted in a torn ligament and season-ending surgery for Matthews.
The incident sparked reactions across the NHL about the discipline system, with criticism mostly centered on the length of Gudas’ suspension relative to the severity of Matthews’ injury.
Before stepping back onto the ice, Gudas talked to reporters for the first time since he delivered the hit and learned about the suspension.
John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
“I got really nothing to comment on it. I really hate the way it ended up, the point of contact,” Gudas said. “I’m not a fan of that. I never want to injure anybody out there. It’s a hard-fought game.”
Gudas said he reached out to Matthews shortly after the game.
“Yeah, (I reached out to Matthews) through text message,” Gudas said. “He connected with me a couple of days after that, but it’s really hard to keep in conversation. I just wanted to make sure (Matthews knew) that it was no point of—it was not my intention to hurt anybody.”
Radko Gudas says he hates the way his hit on Auston Matthews played out, and that he texted the Leafs' captain after the game to apologize 🫣 pic.twitter.com/xDcpiJxatJ
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) March 25, 2026
Despite the criticism surrounding the league’s ruling, Gudas said he accepted the decision without issue.
“I respect the league’s decision,” Gudas said.
A 14-year veteran, Gudas had not been suspended since 2019 prior to this incident. Matthews is expected to recover in time for training camp, but he won’t play for the Leafs until the start of next season.
The Ducks beat the Canucks 5-3 on Tuesday, increasing their lead at the top of the Pacific Division to five points (84) over the Edmonton Oilers (79) with 11 games remaining in Anaheim’s schedule.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the NHL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
