It will be Gudas’ first game back in Toronto following the thrilling victory in overtime of Game 5.
“Entrying here is a great feeling,” the thirty-three-year-old remarked. “I was excited for this night.”
When Nick Cousins scored the game-winning goal, Gudas was on the ice and he celebrated by yelling at goaltender Joseph Woll.
Gudas said, “I said something when we shook hands.” “It’s one of the emotional moments when a lot of stakes are high so you let loose.”
Gudas was questioned several times on Saturday morning on the incident.
He remarked, “It was a long time ago.” “I still can’t believe you guys talk about it.”
Down the corridor, the feeling was the same.
The winger Mitch Marner stated, “This is so long [ago].” “I’m not talking about this.”
My goodness, Radko Gudas yelling in Joseph Woll’s face during the Panthers’ series victory… tweet.com/vRwRsn2TY2
— May 13, 2023, Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett)
Reaves did, however, express his optimism that Gudas’ comeback will add a little more passion to Saturday’s match.
“I don’t think anybody’s going to be chasing him around the ice,” Reaves stated. “I’ll have my eye on him for sure, but he’s going to play his game like he always does and we’re going to play ours.”
There were other moments throughout the series that Gudas lost control besides his joyous scream. In Game 4, he also ended a play with a tremendous blow that completely destroyed Leafs center David Kampf.
Coach Sheldon Keefe angrily cried, “That’s a hit with no intention other than to hurt the player.”
With a huge hit in the corner, Radko Gudas just destroyed David Kampf. #TimeToHunt | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/EFbLqt1C7C
NHL Highlights & News — Hockey Daily 365 (@HockeyDaily365) 11 May 2023
Gudas has the most hits per 60 minutes for the Ducks defense.
Marner remarked, “He likes to play the body.” “You have to be mindful when you’re on the ice because he enjoys playing physically. His goal is to inflict as much punishment on you as possible. We just need to be careful to move the puck swiftly with our feet and to type of work it against him.”
In order to serve as a mentor to some of Anaheim’s younger players, Gudas was signed, and on Saturday morning, Cronin emphasized that leadership.
“When [we] signed him, I didn’t know much about him,” remarked Cronin. “When you see him, he resembles a villain skating on ice. He’s such a pain in the ass to play against that you detest facing him, but you truly value him when he’s on your team.”
If he wore the Maple Leaf, Toronto supporters would adore this guy. But when Gudas went undrafted last summer, he had no intention of playing in a Canadian fishbowl.
He remarked, “I have a large family.” “I like my life outside hockey too.”
On January 3, Lukas Dostal saved 55 of 57 shots to earn a point for the Ducks against the Leafs. “Matthews saves day in OT after no-name goalie vexes Maple Leafs” was the headline in the Toronto Sun following the game.
The Ducks were offended that Dostal was being portrayed as a cheap goaltender.
“His name is Dostal Lukas. It was a 55-save night. In October, he was named NHL Rookie of the Month. Be better, @TorontoSun, “the group wrote on X.
Gudas was also not fond of it.
“I was a little disappointed in the media here that they called him ‘no-name goalie,'” Gudas added. “It was a little something that he got a little fire in him.”
Dostal, for his part, dismissed it.
“You don’t really worry about those kinds of things,” the Czech 23-year-old asserted. “Sometimes there’s some of those articles, but I don’t really read it so it doesn’t really matter.”
On Saturday, Dostal will face the Leafs for a second start.
About the previous meeting, Marner remarked, “It was obviously phenomenal by their goaltender.” “We got to do a better job of just trying to be in his eyes, make it a little harder tonight, and make sure when we’re getting our chances, we’re capitalizing on them or at least getting second looks.”
Dostal has played in 25 games this season with a save percentage of.900.
Regarding his style of play, the 6-foot-2 goalie stated, “I’m trying to be composed.” I have to rely a lot on my readings, really. I’m
Excellent reflexes, said Cronin. “He may not be large by most people’s standards, but his aggression and quickness more than make up for it. understands the game well.”
Growing up, Dostal looked up to Carey Price, the legendary Montreal Canadien, for his calm demeanor.
“He was an amazing skater, in my opinion, which is one of the things that stood out for me always,” Dostal stated. “You get to the positions via skating. When I saw him, it seemed like he was constantly in the perfect place, so obviously, if you’re not a good skater, you’re always out of position.”