Leafs Fans' Treatment of Radko Gudas During Leafs/Ducks Game Shows That They Still Hold a Grudge

The Toronto Maple Leafs earned a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday, thanks to a standout performance from veteran Max Pacioretty, who scored two goals and added an assist.

One notable moment during the game was the hostile reception Gudas received from the Toronto crowd. It's clear that fans haven't forgotten the controversial game-winning goal Gudas helped set up in the second round of the 2023 playoffs, when his Florida Panthers eliminated the Leafs.

As David Alter noted on X:

It's not surprising that fans still feel the sting, especially after Gudas held Calle Jarnkrok's stick, allowing Nick Cousins to score and seal the Florida Panthers' victory and advancement to the next round and then stood in front of a rookie goaltender in Joseph Woll and screamed in his face following the controversial win.

Though Gudas has explained his reasoning behind his actions in the past, but the incident left a bitter taste in the mouths of the fans.

The Panthers went on to lose in the Stanley Cup Final that year, but would eventually win the Cup the following season.

Something to keep an eye on is that Maple Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz was forced to leave the game after the first period due to injury, and did not return to the game.

Looking ahead, the Maple Leafs will face off against the Detroit Red Wings in an Original Six matchup on Saturday, hoping to build momentum with a winning streak.