Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews will be out for the remainder of the 2025-26 NHL season after being a recipient of a hit from Anaheim Ducks captain and defenseman Radko Gudas on Thursday night. As a result, Gudas was suspended five games.

The hit took place with four minutes and 13 seconds left in the second period. Gudas received a five minute major for kneeing and a 10 minute misconduct for the infraction in a 6-4 Toronto win.

What is Matthews’s injury?

Matthews has a grade three medial collateral ligament tear. He also has a quad contusion.

Reaction from the incident

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube was displeased at the lack of response from the Maple Leafs team after the knee incident took place. A lack of emotion has been a problem for the Maple Leafs this season.

The lack of response was also noticed by Elliotte Friedman of Rogers Sportsnet. Friedman has a podcast with Sportsnet’s Kyle Bukauskas.

The fact that Gudas only got a five game suspension has been criticized by Matthews’s agent Judd Moldaver.

Matthews’s 2025-26 NHL statistics

In 60 games, Matthews has 27 goals and 26 assists for 53 points. He is a -4 with 18 penalty minutes, 12 power-play points, 227 shots on goal, 580 faceoff wins, 81 blocked shots, 42 hits, 30 takeaways, and 51 giveaways.

Tough season for the Maple Leafs

Anyway you look at it, it has been a very disappointing season for Toronto. The fact that the Maple Leafs are last in the Atlantic Division is bitterly disappointing to a Eastern Canadian fan base that watches the Maple Leafs in high numbers.

It is unlikely the Maple Leafs will make the postseason now. Toronto is nine points back of the Boston Bruins for a playoff spot.

As a result, do not be surprised at all if Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving and Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube will be fired when the regular season ends next month.

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