It didn't look good whenAuston Matthews clutched at his kneeimmediately after absorbing a knee-on-knee hit from Radko Gudas during the game between theToronto Maple LeafsandAnaheim DucksThursday, March 12. We now know that will mark Matthews' last minutes on the ice this season.
TheMaple Leafs announcedFriday, March 13 that Matthews will miss the rest of the 2025-26 NHL season after he suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear and quad contusion on the hit that will seemingly soonresult in a suspension for Gudas, who was set to have a disciplinary hearing with the league Friday.
Toronto said Matthews will be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks, and the team will give another update then.
Matthews, 28, had gotten the puck alone in front of the net Thursday when a hard-charging Gudas, 35, drove right through the American star, with Gudas' left leg taking out Matthews' left. Matthews immediately clutched at his leg and needed assistance to get off the ice. Gudas was assessed a 5-minute major for kneeing and a 10-minute game misconduct, ending his night.
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OPINION:Maple Leafs' response to Auston Matthews injury shows culture issue
It's a brutal end to what's been a trying NHL season for 2016's top pick. He finishes with 27 goals and 53 points, both career lows, and the Maple Leafs will almost certainly miss the playoffs for the first time in his 10-year tenure.
The former MVP and three-time goal-scoring champ did experience great success at the Milano Cortina Olympics, captaining Team USA to the gold medal in men's hockey – its first since 1980. But his return to NHL play saw the Leafs drop eight consecutive games before Thursday night. That win, however, is overshadowed by the loss of the Leafs captain.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Auston Matthews knee injury update, for rest of Maple Leafs season