“We’ll see,” coach Joel Quenneville said after the morning skate when asked if Gudas would be in the lineup with the Ducks, who trail 2-1 in the best-of-7 series.
Gudas said on not playing in the postseason: “It’s been one of the hardest experiences of my career. But you know, guys are fighting for each other. They’re a great group, they’re keeping me in the loop, and we’re in this together.”
He made what he called a “game-time decision” on Sunday morning and seemed thrilled to have a chance to return during the Ducks’ surprising performance in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
“It’s fun to be here and get this far,” Gudas said. “At the beginning of the year, I don’t think anyone would have predicted something like this, even the beginning of the playoffs. We’re getting better every day and enjoying each other’s company.”
Gudas has played in five games since March 12, when he was involved in a knee collision with Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, who suffered a Grade 3 MCL sprain and missed the rest of the regular season. Gudas was suspended five games by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for taking a knee.
He returned on March 24, played two games, missed a game on March 28 against the Oilers, played against the Maple Leafs on March 30, then missed five more games before returning on April 12 against the Vancouver Canucks. Gudas missed the final two games of the regular season before playing Game 1 of the first round.
Gudas, who will play for Team Czechia at the 2026 Winter Olympics, had 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in 56 games this season, and 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in 58 postseason games with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers and Ducks.
On September 19, 2024, he was named captain of Anaheim.
With Gudas not playing, the Ducks’ only lineup change from Game 3 was forward Mason McTavish, who was returning healthy from the previous two games.
He could be a big boost for a power play that is 0-11 with short-handed goals through the first three games. McTavish had six power-play goals and 11 power-play points in the regular season and had two power-play assists in the playoffs.
“I think we need to focus on shooting more (on the power play),” McTavish said, “especially maybe some one-timers and getting some better screens up top.
“I think the biggest thing is just getting those second chances. I think we’re doing a really good job of going out there and being prepared and getting a shot, but just keeping that pressure on and tiring them out.”
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