The Florida Panthers have confirmed that defenseman Radko Gudas played through a high ankle sprain during the Stanley Cup Final.
While the specifics weren’t shared, Gudas left Game 2 early after a reverse hit from Vegas’ Ivan Barbashev. The Panthers blueliner left just under seven minutes into the game and was a game-time decision ahead of Game 3.
Gudas had been a valuable physical force for the Panthers throughout the playoffs, registering three assists and 34 penalty minutes. He averaged just over 17 minutes a game in ice time, although the number is skewed due to the lack of ice time in Game 2.
The 33-year-old defenseman is set to become a UFA this summer, finishing off a three-year contract worth $2.5 million per season.
The Panthers were eliminated in Game 5 after a huge 9-3 win for Vegas on Tuesday. It marked Florida’s second loss in the Stanley Cup final after falling to Colorado in 1996. The Panthers had a stunning run to the final, beating Boston, Toronto and Carolina before ultimately falling to the Golden Knights.
The native of Kladno, Czechia, has 164 points in 682 career regular-season games with Philadelphia, Washington, Tampa Bay and Florida. The bruising blueliner also has 10 points in 58 playoff games, which featured trips to the postseason in four consecutive playoffs.
More must-reads: