The long-awaited Radko Gudas grudge match has been thrown into doubt.
Gudas didn't suit up for his Anaheim Ducks against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday due to an injury sustained Thursday against the Calgary Flames.
According to Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville, Gudas is day-to-day, and the team expects to know more on Sunday.
The absence of the Ducks' captain puts into question whether he will play Monday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, when the two teams meet for the first time since Gudas ended Auston Matthews' season early.
He was suspended for five games for the play, a ruling that raised eyebrows across the league.
Despite the injury, Gudas has made it clear his intention is to return to the ice against the Maple Leafs "no matter what," Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said during the Saturday Headlines segment of Hockey Night in Canada.
"Whether you call it the code, or you call it the sportsman's way of doing things, he recognizes that the Maple Leafs want a piece of him, and he wants to play," Friedman said. "Now, he's supposed to see the doctors on Sunday... and will see what they have to say.
"But Gudas has apparently made his feelings very clear: he wants to play."
Friedman added that the Ducks, currently sitting first in the Pacific Division, have bigger things to worry about as the playoffs approach.
But he did add that Gudas feels dressing against Toronto is "the right thing to do."
Gudas, who also injured Canada captain Sidney Crosby at the Olympics, was seen in a walking boot earlier Saturday, per Friedman.
In 54 games this season, the Czech has two goals, 11 assists and 45 penalty minutes.
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