Auston Matthews Out for the Rest Of 2025/26 Season With Torn MCL

Auston Matthews is done for the regular season. That’s the gut-punch reality Maple Leafs fans are dealing with after Toronto’s medical staff confirmed the captain sustained a Grade-3 MCL tear and a quad contusion in a knee-on-knee collision with Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas. The injury happened late in the second period of Toronto’s 6–4 win over the Anaheim Ducks.

For a team already trying to claw its way through a tough Atlantic Division stretch, losing your best player is about as bad as it gets. Here’s a full breakdown of what happened, what the injury means, and what the Leafs need to do next.

How The Injury Happened

With Toronto holding on during a physical game against Anaheim, Matthews and Gudas collided knee-on-knee near the boards late in the second period. Matthews immediately showed signs of distress and left the ice. Gudas was handed a five-minute major for kneeing and a game misconduct on the spot.

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety wasted no time. Gudas was suspended for five games, which is the maximum penalty a phone hearing allows. Whether that suspension sends a strong enough message to the rest of the league is a debate that’ll keep going, but the intent was clear: knee-on-knee contact will be punished. Matthews suffered a grade 3 MCL tear and even picked up a quad contusion as well.

What This Costs The Maple Leafs

Let’s not sugarcoat it. Auston Matthews isn’t just another player. He’s the captain, the power-play engine, the guy opponents build their defensive game plans around. When he’s on the ice, defenders respect his shot at all times, which creates space for everyone around him. Remove him from the lineup and suddenly those lanes close up fast.

The Leafs’ power play, which leans heavily on Matthews’ shot from the top of the zone, will need a full rethink. Secondary scorers who benefitted from playing alongside him will face tougher matchups. And from a leadership standpoint, the locker room loses its anchor at the worst possible time.

But hey, at least the Maple Leafs have their first-round pick in a very deep 2026 NHL draft class to bolster the team. Oh, wait, there 1st round pick is Boston Bruins property thanks to the Brandon Carlo trade. Well, at least the pick is Top 5 protected.

What Comes Next For Toronto

The two-week re-evaluation will give a clearer picture of Matthews’ recovery trajectory. If there’s any realistic hope of a playoff return, the Leafs will want to know sooner rather than later. But the team has been careful not to set expectations around a comeback, which suggests they’re being cautious about not rushing the process.

From a league-wide perspective, the Gudas suspension and the nature of the hit will likely fuel renewed discussion about how knee-on-knee contact is coached, officiated, and penalized. He is lucky he is not cut, but then again, the Anaheim Ducks are a franchise that hired Joel Quenneville to coach. You know the man who knew about sexual assault going on in Chicago in 2010 and chose to do nothing about it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Grade-3 MCL tear?
A Grade-3 MCL tear is a complete rupture of the medial collateral ligament. It’s the most serious type of MCL injury and typically requires significant rehabilitation time. Treatment may involve bracing, physical therapy, or surgery depending on the individual case.

Will Matthews return for the playoffs?
The Maple Leafs have only confirmed he’ll miss the rest of the regular season. He’ll be re-evaluated in two weeks, and any playoff return will depend entirely on his recovery progress and medical clearance.

How many games did Radko Gudas receive for the hit?
Gudas was suspended five games by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for kneeing Auston Matthews.

The Bottom Line – Toronto Needs To Look In The Mirror

Auston Matthews being lost for the season is a defining moment for this Toronto Maple Leafs group. The coming weeks will reveal a lot about the character of this roster — whether depth players can rise, whether the coaching staff can adapt, and whether this team has enough to compete without its best player. To be honest, it’s time for Toronto to blow it up. Trade everyone and start the rebuild, as they are not winning with this core.