Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (7) looks at an injured Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) after he delivered a knee on knee hit during the second period at Scotiabank Arena. John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Radko Gudas injures another top NHL star just weeks after injuring Sidney Crosby

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Mar 13, 2026 7:57 AM ET

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas was ejected from the team's 6-4 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night for a blatant knee-on-knee hit against Auston Matthews. Matthews did not return to the game, while Gudas could be facing the possibility of another suspension from the NHL.

It also continues a wild stretch for Gudas that has seen him deliver hits that have injured two of the NHL's top stars.

Another top NHL star injured by Radko Gudas hit

The first star player to be injured by Gudas over the past month was Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby. That incident happened during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Canada's overtime quarterfinal win against Czechia.

That was more of a fluke play with an unfortunate result, but Crosby did miss the remainder of the tournament and has yet to play for the Penguins since returning from the Olympic break. He is, however, getting closer to a return and could even return this week on the Penguins' road trip.

The play involving Matthews on Thursday was not quite as fluky. This was just a bad play by Gudas — and a reckless one that should result in a lengthy suspension.

Here is a look at the play.

Auston Matthews leaves the game after a knee-on-knee hit from Radko Gudas.

Gudas was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct. pic.twitter.com/nSRik0j8kw
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 13, 2026

Gudas has always been one of the NHL's most physical players and often plays close to the line. When you are that physical, and consistently push the limits, you sometimes go beyond that. That has been the case with Gudas.

He has been suspended and fined multiple times throughout his career, including a 10-game suspension a slash to the neck of then-Winnipeg Jets forward Mathieu Perreault. That extensive history of discipline could play a big factor in any potential suspension, as could a significant injury to Matthews.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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