Gudas Out for Ducks in Game 4 of Western 2nd Round Anaheim Ducks captain Radko Gudas did not play in Game 4 of the Western Conference Second Round against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday. The defenseman, who had participated in the morning skate for the second consecutive game, was not on the ice for warmups. Gudas has not played since Game 1 of the first-round series against the Edmonton Oilers on April 20. Coach Joel Quenneville said after the morning skate, “We’ll see,” when asked if Gudas would be in the lineup as the Ducks trailed the best-of-7 series 2-1. Gudas described his absence from the lineup as one of the “hardest experiences of my career.” He emphasized the team’s resilience and camaraderie, stating, “The guys are battling for each other. They’re a very great group, and we are in this together.” Despite the setback, Gudas expressed pride in the Ducks’ playoff run, calling it “fun to be around” and noting the team’s progress. “At the start of the year, I don’t think anyone would’ve guessed anything like that,” he added, highlighting the team’s collective effort. Gudas’ absence stems from a lingering injury sustained during a collision with Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews on March 12. The incident resulted in a Grade 3 MCL sprain for Matthews, who missed the rest of the regular season, and a five-game suspension for Gudas for kneeing. After returning to play on March 24, Gudas missed a game against the Oilers on March 28 before playing on March 30 against the Maple Leafs. He missed five more games before returning on April 12 against the Vancouver Canucks and then missed the final two games of the regular season before joining the Ducks in the playoffs. Gudas has played five games since March 12, including Game 1 of the first round.#anaheim_ducks #joel_quenneville #auston_matthews #vegas_golden_knights #radko_gudas
Anaheim Ducks seek to prolong Toronto Maple Leafs' losing streak The Anaheim Ducks are set to continue their pursuit of extending the Toronto Maple Leafs' current losing streak as they prepare for a crucial matchup on Thursday night. The Ducks, who have established themselves as the top team in the Pacific Division, aim to start their four-game road trip on a strong note by securing a second consecutive victory. Their upcoming game against the struggling Maple Leafs will be a significant test for the Ducks, who have shown resilience in recent weeks. The Ducks began their road trip with a decisive 4-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets, fueled by a remarkable 1:44 span in the second period where they scored three consecutive goals. This performance propelled them to an impressive 8-2-0 record in their past 10 games, showcasing their ability to capitalize on opportunities. Forward Alex Killorn, who contributed a goal and an assist in the Jets game, reflected on the team's progress. "A month ago, it was a different situation," he said. "Then we go on a run, and now we're first in the Pacific. You try not to think about it too much, but it's just one of those things that it's so tight, every game is so important." Coach Joel Quenneville emphasized the team's balanced approach, noting their ability to score goals while also maintaining defensive discipline. "We've got a good mix, we've got good balance," Quenneville said. "We know we can score goals, and (Tuesday) is a good thing to bounce back to, about knowing that we can check, too." The Ducks' victory followed a 4-0 home loss to the St. Louis Blues on Sunday, which highlighted the challenges they face in maintaining consistency. The Maple Leafs, on the other hand, have been struggling to find their footing since the Olympic break.#anaheim_ducks #toronto_maple_leafs #alex_killorn #joel_quenneville #auston_matthews
