Maple Leafs Star Auston Matthews Out for Season with Torn MCL

Gudas suspended 5 games for kneeing incident that sidelined Matthews

Mar. 14, 2026 at 12:26pm

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Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews has a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee and will miss the rest of the NHL season. The injury occurred when Matthews was knocked out of a game against Anaheim on a knee-on-knee hit from Radko Gudas. Gudas was suspended five games for the incident, the maximum the league's Department of Safety could levy because his hearing was by phone.

Why it matters

Matthews is one of the NHL's top young stars, so his season-ending injury is a major blow to the Maple Leafs' playoff hopes. The incident also raises questions about player safety and the league's disciplinary process, with Matthews' agent criticizing the relatively short suspension for Gudas.

The details

In the second period of Toronto's 6-4 victory over Anaheim, Matthews was trying to make a move around Gudas in the slot when he took a direct blow to his left leg and crashed to the ice. Matthews stayed down before being helped to the locker room. Gudas was given a major penalty and ejected from the game.

  • On March 13, 2026, Matthews was injured in the game against Anaheim.
  • On March 14, 2026, the Maple Leafs announced that Matthews has a Grade 3 MCL tear and a bruised quadriceps muscle, and will be evaluated again in two weeks.

The players

Auston Matthews

The captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs and one of the NHL's top young stars.

Radko Gudas

A bruising Czech defenseman for the Anaheim Ducks who has a history of controversial hits, including one that ended Canadian captain Sidney Crosby's Olympics.

Craig Berube

The head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Joel Quenneville

The head coach of the Anaheim Ducks.

Judd Moldaver

The agent for Auston Matthews.

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What they’re saying

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

— Craig Berube, Head Coach, Toronto Maple Leafs

“In light of the obvious severity of the play, I am very disappointed and shocked that the league would allow for such a ruling.”

— Judd Moldaver, Agent for Auston Matthews

“There's no premeditation. Reflexes did it.”

— Joel Quenneville, Head Coach, Anaheim Ducks

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Radko Gudas out on bail.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the NHL's ongoing challenge in balancing player safety with the physical nature of the sport. The relatively short suspension for Gudas has raised concerns about the league's disciplinary process and whether it is doing enough to protect its star players from dangerous plays.