Radko Gudas throws down the gauntlet against the Maple Leafs.

Earlier today I touched on the news that Anaheim Ducks captain Radko Gudas is currently dealing with a lower body injury, an injury that could potentially cheat the Toronto Maple Leafs out of their long awaited revenge against Gudas.

Gudas and his Ducks are set to face off against the Maple Leafs on Monday and that will mark the first meeting between the two teams since Gudas prematurely put an end to the season for Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews when he struck him with a knee on knee hit. Gudas earned a 5 game suspension from the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety for the gesture, but many feel the punishment wasn't stiff enough given the severity of the injury Matthews suffered.

Despite the injury however, it seems that Gudas has every intention of doing everything within his power to answer the bell on Monday against the Maple Leafs.

"The thing about this that is most interesting in that Gudas has said he wants to play Monday against the Maple Leafs no matter what," revealed NHL insider Elliotte Friedman on Hockey Night in Canada. "Whether you call it the code or the sportsman's way of doing things, he recognizes that the Maple Leafs want a piece of him and he wants to play."

You have to tip your hat to Gudas for his willingness to walk into such a difficult situation despite currently dealing with a legitimate injury. Gudas was spotted in a walking boot, suggesting that he is dealing with something that could very well limit his ability to defend himself in a situation such as this one.

Despite that, it sounds like Gudas won't let anything deter him.

"He's supposed to see the doctors on Sunday and we will see what they have to say, but Gudas apparently has made his feelings very clear, he wants to play," added Friedman.

It sounds like it very well may take something like a doctor refusing to clear him for Gudas to stay out of this one.

"I don't know where this is all gonna go but... we'll see what the diagnoses is and what the doctors and the Ducks have to say," said Friedman.