ANAHEIM, Calif. – Radko Gudas of the Anaheim Ducks faced immediate retribution from the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday night, just seconds into their game at Honda Center. The confrontation stemmed from a knee-on-knee hit Gudas delivered to Toronto captain Auston Matthews on March 11, an incident that ended Matthews’ season with a torn MCL. The Leafs, who had expressed frustration over their initial response to the hit, wasted no time in addressing the situation on the ice.
As the opening faceoff approached, the tension was palpable. Gudas, having fully expected a response from Toronto, was on the ice when Leafs forward Max Domi dropped his gloves immediately after the puck was dropped. Domi engaged Gudas in a swift and decisive fight, landing several punches before bringing the Ducks’ defenseman to the ice. The bout was widely described as a one-sided affair, with Domi clearly gaining the upper hand.
“Domi threw a few uppercuts, then a few crushing righty punches over the top, to bring Gudas down to the ice,” reported Billy Heyen of The Sporting News. “It was no contest, a unanimous decision, practically a knockout.”
DOMI DROPS THE GLOVES WITH GUDAS OFF THE DRAW AND WINS THE TILT 😈🥊https://t.co/8Vi0wyySqb
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 31, 2026
The incident occurred just 18 days after Gudas’ hit sidelined Matthews, a moment that sparked considerable debate, and criticism. Gudas had already served a five-game suspension for the infraction, but the Maple Leafs clearly felt a physical response was necessary. The Leafs had previously voiced disappointment with their lack of immediate retaliation following the initial injury.
Prior to the game, Gudas acknowledged the likelihood of facing consequences for his actions. “I’m standing behind my own mistakes. I want to address it myself,” Gudas said, per Jonas Siegel of The Athletic. “That’s one of the reasons. Hundred percent.” He confirmed his availability to play despite a recent injury, stating he felt obligated to face the Leafs directly.
The Maple Leafs’ response wasn’t limited to the initial fight. Later in the second period, Toronto’s Michael Pezzetta engaged Gudas after a breakout pass, resulting in a two-minute penalty for roughing, a 10-minute misconduct, and a game misconduct for Pezzetta. A brief fight also broke out between Gudas and Jake McCabe of Toronto following a whistle in front of the net, earning Gudas an additional two-minute penalty for roughing. Domi himself was ejected from the game after a second-period fight with Pavel Mintyukov.
The game took place on a particularly unusual night for the Maple Leafs, as it followed the announcement of the firing of General Manager Brad Treliving just hours before puck drop. This added another layer of complexity to an already emotionally charged contest.
While the physical response provided a measure of satisfaction for the Maple Leafs, it doesn’t diminish the loss of their captain. “It won’t equal the complete of the season for Matthews, but it’s all Toronto could do,” Heyen wrote. The Leafs’ actions were largely seen as a demonstration of support for Matthews and a statement to the league regarding player safety.
Gudas, for his part, had expressed remorse for the injury to Matthews last week, but understood the inevitability of a response. The Ducks captain appeared willing to accept the consequences of his actions, even if it meant absorbing a significant amount of punishment on the ice.
The Maple Leafs’ decisive response to Gudas’ hit underscores the importance of accountability in the NHL and the strong bonds between teammates. While the league’s disciplinary process addresses dangerous plays, the unwritten rules of hockey often dictate a need for on-ice retribution, particularly when a star player is injured. This game served as a clear example of that dynamic in action.
The incident also highlights the ongoing debate surrounding player safety and the balance between physicality and protecting players from serious injury. The league continues to grapple with these issues, and incidents like this will undoubtedly fuel further discussion and potential rule changes.
What’s Next: The Anaheim Ducks will continue their season on Thursday, April 9th, against the Calgary Flames. The Toronto Maple Leafs will return to the ice on April 6th, hosting the Boston Bruins. Both teams will be looking to build momentum as the regular season nears its conclusion.
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