Report: Gudas wants to play rematch vs. Maple Leafs despite injury

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas wants to play in Monday's highly anticipated contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs despite being sidelined with an injury, reports Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Gudas has said that suiting up is the right thing to do, according to Friedman, as the Maple Leafs are likely to seek retribution for a knee-on-knee hit that ended Auston Matthews' season on March 12. The blue-liner was suspended five games for the incident.

However, doctors will need to clear Gudas for him to dress. The 35-year-old didn't play Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers and was reportedly seen in a walking boot after sustaining an injury Thursday.

Gudas' hit on Matthews created a league-wide stir, and the other Maple Leafs players drew heavy criticism for not immediately responding in support of their captain. Multiple members of the organization later said that Gudas' five-game ban was too light of a punishment.

After returning from his suspension, Gudas said he feels terrible about injuring Matthews.

Monday's game is crucial for the Ducks in the standings, as they currently hold a three-point lead atop the Pacific Division. The Maple Leafs are out of the playoff race and are 3-2-2 since losing Matthews.