Here are Auston Matthews’ teammates’ lame excuses after dirty Radko Gudas hit

The reaction, or lack of one, from the Toronto Maple Leafs has quickly become almost as controversial as the hit itself.

Late in the second period Thursday night, Leafs captain Auston Matthews was taken down by a dangerous knee-on-knee collision with Radko Gudas of the Anaheim Ducks. The incident occurred just after Matthews received a pass near the Ducks’ net. Despite trying to avoid contact, he was sent crashing to the ice and remained down for several tense moments before being helped to the dressing room. Matthews did not return due to a lower-body injury and is being re-evaluated today. Officials assessed Gudas a five-minute major and game misconduct for the play.

But what stunned many watching was that none of Matthews’ teammates immediately confronted Gudas.

Forward William Nylander, who was closest to the play, instead raised his arm to signal a penalty to the referees. Later, Nylander admitted he didn’t fully grasp how serious the collision was in the moment.

“I probably should’ve jumped in there,” he said afterward.

Veteran defenseman Morgan Rielly also accepted responsibility, saying he didn’t have a clear view of the hit but acknowledged the team needed to respond faster.

“Myself and the other people on the ice have to take responsibility for not being in there earlier,” Rielly said.

Head coach Craig Berube didn’t try to defend the reaction either.

“Obviously we should’ve had four guys in there doing something about it,” Berube said. “But it didn’t happen.”

Meanwhile, Gudas has already had his hearing with the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety. Because it was conducted by phone rather than in person, any suspension cannot exceed five games, with the league expected to announce the decision later today.