The Ducks said Gudas suffered the injury in Thursday's game against the Flames and he will be reassessed following the Holiday Break. Gudas has five goals and four assists in 31 games this season.
Gudas did not play on Tuesday after exiting the previous game for the Ducks, playing only 13:02, with a lower-body injury, but is expected to return to their lineup on Thursday. Gudas, known mostly for his heavy-hitting, is pacing for his best offensive season in seven years, with seven points (4G / 3A) in 21 games. In contrast, he is averaging only 2.76 hits per game, his lowest output over the last four seasons.
Gudas has been an offensive juggernaut for his own standards in his first season in Anaheim with four goals, seven points, 37 PIMs and a +7 plus/minus but is now day-to-day with a lower-body injury. The 33-year-old bruising defender is in his 12th NHL season and has never scored more than six goals ever.
Gudas spent the last three seasons in Florida, where he had some of the best seasons of his career. He doesn't offer a lot offensively, posting just 44 points (7G / 37A) in 203 games, but he's a tough, rugged defenseman that led all defensemen in hits (917) during his three years with the Panthers. Not only did he have the most hits, he had 227 more hits than second (Luke Schenn).
Gudas left Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final after taking a massive hit from Ivan Barbashev which caused him to leave the game after just 2:11 TOI but is expected back in the Panthers' lineup for Game 3 on Thursday vs. Vegas. The 33-year-old has three assists, 30 PIMs and 13 SOG through 18 games throughout the playoffs thus far.
Gudas left Saturday's game in Nashville with an injury but will suit up for Monday's afternoon game. Gudas doesn't provide much offence (nine points in 49 games) but is once again among the hit leaders in the NHL, ranking 8th with 190 hits in 49 games (3.9 hits/gm).
Gudas has not played since Dec. 3rd due to a concussion and is expected to return Thursday as the Panthers take on the Montreal Canadiens. The 32-year-old bruiser has two goals, six points, 49 SOG and 39 PIMs in 25 games prior to the injury
Gudas has not played since Dec. 3rd due to a concussion and is hopeful and expected to return Thursday as the Panthers take on the Montreal Canadiens. The 32-year-old bruiser has two goals, six points, 49 SOG and 39 PIMs in 25 games prior to the injury
Gudas has not played since Dec. 3rd due to a concussion and will be out until after Christmas as he continues to deal with his injury. The 32-year-old bruiser has two goals, six points, 49 SOG and 39 PIMs in 25 games prior to the injury
Gudas has not played since Dec. 3rd due to a concussion and has been placed on the injured reserve retroactively to that date to make room for Grigori Denisenko. The 32-year-old bruiser, has two goals, six points, 49 SOG and 39 PIMs in 25 games prior to the injury.
Gudas has not played since Dec. 3rd due to a concussion and has been placed on the injured reserve retroactively to that date to make room for Grigori Denisenko. The 32-year-old bruiser, has two goals, six points, 49 SOG and 39 PIMs in 25 games prior to the injury.
Gudas has not played since Dec. 3rd due to a concussion and has been placed on the injured reserve retroactively to that date to make room for Grigori Denisenko. The 32-year-old bruiser, has two goals, six points, 49 SOG and 39 PIMs in 25 games prior to the injury.
The Panthers said that Gudas does not have a timetable for his return, so Matt Kiersted is expected to replace him in the lineup for Tuesday's game in Winnipeg.
The Panthers were already playing short a forward, and they lost both Gudas and Patric Hornqvist in Saturday's game. Head coach Paul Maruice did not have an update on Gudas' status post-game but expect to hear some news following Monday's practice.
Gudas suffered a lower-body injury in Boston on Tuesday and will miss the Panthers' back-to-back on Thursday/Friday. Head coach Andrew Brunette said that Gudas is day-to-day and hopeful that he'll be ready for the playoffs.
Gudas is one of five Panthers that entered COVID-19 protocol this week, putting Thursday's game vs. the Kings in jeopardy.
Gudas was a late scratch from Thursday's game but will draw right back into the lineup on Saturday. Gudas is second in the league in hits and brings value in banger leagues but provides very little in the way of offence.
