The Maple Leafs are icing a physical lineup tonight after Radko Gudas admitted he expects a response
Photo credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Radko Gudas said he stood behind his actions, George Parros is in the building, and Michael Pezzetta is in the lineup. Monday night in Anaheim is the most important game of the Toronto Maple Leafs' season — and one with huge implications.
As Toronto looks to the last stretch of the season, they make their final stop in Anaheim only a few weeks after Radko Gudas ended Auston Matthews' season. He's got a target on his back which he's well aware of, and his choice to fight through a fairly big injury shows he wants to be right in the middle:
I stand behind my own mistakes. I want to address it myself.
Gudas decided to play because he knows that this Maple Leafs lineup is going to be on the hunt for revenge
Regardless of how cryptic Gudas is ahead of the game, the Maple Leafs are not going to take any chances with their lineup which will bring a lot of aggression into California:
Cowan - Tavares - Nylander
Knies - Groulx - Maccelli
Joshua - Domi - Robertson
Pezzetta - Quillan - Lorentz/Jarnkrok
Knies - Groulx - Maccelli
Joshua - Domi - Robertson
Pezzetta - Quillan - Lorentz/Jarnkrok
Rielly - Carlo
McCabe - Stecher
Benoit - Ekman-Larsson
McCabe - Stecher
Benoit - Ekman-Larsson
Stolarz
While the first line is definitely one of skill, and the second is trying to build off Groulx's hot streak, it's that bottom-six that is going to bring a lot of pain. Joshua, Domi, and Lorentz can all be hot-heads when needed, and they aren't going to take kindly to Gudas at any point.
However it's the Pezzetta inclusion that makes things obvious — he's there to throw punches and not do much else. Much like we saw in his debut against the Ducks this season, he is going to throw down immediately and we may see him start the game to set the tone.
We will also have to see how Morgan Rielly responds to Gudas, and whether or not he is going to take a couple of extra jabs at the defender or find himself in the middle of a scrum post-whistle.
Gudas fighting through the pain is actually a fairly noble sacrifice given that he understands if he isn't there then other players are getting the brunt of the anger. But it doesn't excuse his actions, and he'll find himself with his comeuppance one way or another.
A flat effort tonight tells Auston Matthews everything he needs to know about his future in Toronto
This means nothing though if Toronto doesn't do a thing. With George Parros in tow there may be a little hesitation on behalf of the Maple Leafs in case of getting punished.
But Auston Matthews is more important than the rest of this season, and if there's no fire especially against the guy who put him out — that sends a clear message to the captain.
Elliotte Friedman explained that Gudas had every intention of returning and called upon the unwritten locker room rules as a key factor:
Call it the code or sportsman way of doing things he recognizes that the Maple Leafs want a piece of him and he wants to play.
Where was the code of honour when the Maple Leafs captain went down? There was none, and this is the best chance possible for Toronto to repent for their actions and stick up for your captain (even weeks later).
There needs to be a little piss and vinegar running through the Maple Leafs lineup tonight, and regardless of the result they need to walk into that locker room proud of what they did to avenge Matthews.
But if it becomes a flat, lifeless, and lazy effort then Gudas' appearance alone has effectively sealed the fate of Auston Matthews in Toronto. And it ends in 2028.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Scott Laughton admits the lack of response to Radko Gudas was embarrassing before tonight's Ducks rematch
Scott Laughton admits the lack of response to Radko Gudas was embarrassing before tonight's Ducks rematch
Previously on Hockey Patrol