The Toronto Maple Leafs coach has questioned league discipline after captain Auston Matthews suffered an injury. Matthews will miss the remainder of the season due to a dangerous collision during a game against the Anaheim Ducks. Now the incident has led to debate across the NHL regarding the league’s ruling.
Matthews suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear and quadriceps contusion during the game. Doctors will reassess the forward in two weeks but the team has already ruled him out for the rest of the season. The injury occurred after being struck in the knee by Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas, and on-ice officials assessed Gudas a major penalty for kneeling and game misconduct.
The league’s player safety department later suspended Gudas for five games. But Toronto coach Craig Berube believes the punishment does not match the consequences of the hit.
More: Auston Matthews’ agent slams NHL’s ‘reckless’ decision after season ends
Sportsnet reporter Luke Fox shared Berube’s reaction to X after the ruling.
“We lost a teammate who was our captain this year,” Berube said. “It doesn’t seem like enough to me.”
The coach’s comments reflected the frustration surrounding the Maple Leafs following the decision.
Berube already said immediately after the game that the hit was dangerous.
“That was a dirty play,” Berube said after the Ducks game at Scotiabank Arena. “The league will look at this and see what the suspension will be and what will happen.”
After the hit, Matthews was in tremendous pain after falling to the ice. He was barely able to put any weight on his left leg and has now had an MRI confirming his injury and ruling him out for the rest of the season.
The Maple Leafs coach criticized Toronto’s response after Auston Matthews’ hit.
Berube previously criticized the players for not reacting immediately after the collision. He said his teammates should have defended their captain when he collapsed. Forwards William Nylander and Easton Cowan were on the ice along with defensemen Morgan Rielly and Carlo.
“The four employees should have done something there, but that didn’t happen,” Berube said, referring to the delayed response in the third.
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (7) looks on injured Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews (34) after suffering a knee-to-knee injury at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Image
The injury also hurt Toronto’s playoff chances. Because Toronto has only won 28 games this season. Their captain now ends the season with 27 goals and 53 points in 60 games.
The Maple Leafs will play their final game of the season without their top scorer and leader.
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