Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews leaves after knee-on-knee hit from Ducks' Radko Gudas

TORONTO (AP) — Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews left Thursday night against Anaheim after a knee-on-knee hit from Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas that drew a major penalty and game misconduct.

“Dirty play,” said Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube, who didn’t have an update on his star center. “League’s going to obviously look at it and see what the suspension will be or whatever happens.”

Trying to make a move around Gudas in the slot in the second period of Toronto’s 6-4 victory, Matthews stook a direct blow to his left leg and crashed to the ice. The U.S. Olympic captain stayed down before being helped to the locker room.

Gudas is the bruising Czech defender who ended Canadian captain Sidney Crosby’s Olympics in the quarterfinals with a hit.

“He’s done a few of those before in his career,” Toronto winger Matthew Knies said.

Gudas was asked following Anaheim’s morning skate about trying to contain Matthews.

“We go to be on top of him,” Gudas said. “We got to make sure that he doesn’t get space in the middle of the ice … make his night’s not enjoyable.”

Ducks coach Joel Quenneville defended his player.

“There’s no premeditation,” Quenneville said. “Reflexes did it.”

Matthews snapped a 12-game goal drought earlier in the period on a power play. He has 27 goals and 26 assists in 60 games this season.

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Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews, center, is helped off the ice after being injured by Anaheim Ducks Radko Gudas during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews (34) and Anaheim Ducks Radko Gudas (7) lay on the ice after colliding during second period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews (34) is helped off the ice after being injured by Anaheim Ducks Radko Gudas during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews, left, is injured by Anaheim Ducks Radko Gudas during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews (34) is injured by Anaheim Ducks Radko Gudas (7) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

SEATTLE (AP) — Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon had his game misconduct reversed by the NHL, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Thursday night.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the league had not yet announced the reversal. MacKinnon received a major penalty and game misconduct for crashing into Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram on Tuesday night during Edmonton's 4-3 win.

Because of the reversal, MacKinnon would no longer receive an automatic one-game suspension if he were to receive another game misconduct this season.

After Tuesday's game, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar expressed his frustration about Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse having collided with MacKinnon, propelling him into Ingram.

“There’s no chance he hits the goalie if Nurse doesn’t run into him,” Bednar said. “I don’t care if (Ingram is) injured, not injured, if it’s a severe crash, not a severe crash — it’s not a penalty. If you put guys into your own goalie, it’s not a penalty. ... The goalie’s hurt, so it’s five (minutes). Again, I really don’t give a crap if the goalie’s hurt. That’s on their D-man, not our guy.”

The Avalanche played at Seattle on Thursday night. MacKinnon scored in the first period, his 44th goal of the season.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) reacts to scoring with center Nazem Kadri (91) against Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord (35) as center Frederick Gaudreau (89) looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, left, reacts to scoring with teammates, including defenseman Sam Malinski (70), against the Seattle Kraken during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) moves the puck against Seattle Kraken center Frederick Gaudreau (89) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)