Matthews: Playoff defeats will make eventual wins feel 'that much better'

Auston Matthews believes years of playoff anguish for the Toronto Maple Leafs will soon pay off.

Toronto is fresh off its fifth consecutive first-round defeat after blowing a 3-1 series lead to the underdog Montreal Canadiens. Although Matthews said that loss is still fresh in his mind, he's confident in the club's current group.

"It's obviously really frustrating," Matthews said, per ESPN's Greg Wyshynski. "It sucks right now. People have opinions and they can say what they want, and rightfully so, but I really believe in the team and I really believe in all the players on the team - the core group especially. I truly believe that we're going to get it done. We're going to be better from our losses, and from the adversity we faced.

"The only way is forward. (The playoff loss) sucked. There's no other way to put it. Extremely disappointing. But it'll just feel that much better when we eventually get to the top."

Matthews' sentiments echo those of general manager Kyle Dubas, who said earlier this offseason that he's "willing to bet everything" on the team's core.

"I don't think that's news to us," Matthews said of Dubas' remarks. "We know that's how he feels. When he reiterates that, it gives us confidence moving forward. That's all you can ask for: that your general manager and all your teammates truly believe in one another."

The Leafs' star-powered core - particularly Matthews and linemate Mitch Marner - faced intense scrutiny after they were eliminated this past spring. The pair combined for three points in their last three playoff games.

Matthews had a dominant regular season, leading the NHL with 41 goals in 52 contests while finishing second in MVP voting.

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