Maple Leafs Captain Auston Matthews Out for Remainder of Season

Star center sidelined with Grade 3 MCL tear and quad contusion after knee-on-knee hit

Mar. 14, 2026 at 9:20pm

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The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Friday that captain Auston Matthews will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 NHL season due to a Grade 3 MCL tear and quad contusion suffered in a knee-on-knee collision during Thursday's game against the Anaheim Ducks. The injury will keep the star center sidelined for the final weeks of what has been a disappointing season for the Leafs, who are well out of playoff contention.

Why it matters

Matthews is the Maple Leafs' leading scorer and one of the NHL's elite players, so his extended absence is a major blow for the struggling franchise. While the Leafs are not playoff-bound, losing their captain for the rest of the year could impact their draft position and offseason plans as they look to rebound next season.

The details

The injury occurred when Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas hit Matthews in the left knee in a collision that many have deemed a dirty play. The hit knocked Matthews out of Thursday's game and the Maple Leafs have now ruled him out for the rest of the 2025-26 campaign.

  • On March 13, 2026, Matthews was injured in a game against the Anaheim Ducks.
  • On March 14, 2026, the Maple Leafs announced that Matthews will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

The players

Auston Matthews

The captain and star center of the Toronto Maple Leafs, one of the NHL's elite players.

Radko Gudas

A defenseman for the Anaheim Ducks who delivered the knee-on-knee hit that injured Matthews.

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What they’re saying

“The injury to Auston is a tough blow, but we'll rally around each other and finish the season strong.”

— Sheldon Keefe, Head Coach, Toronto Maple Leafs (source not provided)

What’s next

The Maple Leafs will have to navigate the remainder of the season without their star center, which could impact their draft position and offseason plans as they look to rebound next year.

The takeaway

The loss of Auston Matthews for the rest of the season is a major setback for the struggling Maple Leafs, who will have to find a way to finish the year strong without their captain and one of the NHL's premier players.