Matthews believes Leafs’ playoff pain will pay off: ‘We’re writing our own story’

Auston Matthews believes Toronto's recent playoff failures will pay off. The Maple Leafs lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games last year. They also lost in the first round to Montreal Canadiens in 2021 and to Boston Bruins in 2019 and 2020. Matthews is at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour outside Las Vegas. Morgan Rielly believes the series against Tampa doesn't make him feel any better. He believes it doesn’t help the team emotionally. Toronto hasn't won the Stanley Cup since 1967. It's been played before Twitter and before the league's salary cap.