Auston Matthews highlights Leafs’ ‘no quit mentality’ after victory over Canadiens

Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs roared from back from a 3-0 deficit, to defeat the Montreal Canadiens 7-3 at the Bell Centre on Saturday night.

Matthews took a double minor for high-sticking, when he clipped Canadiens forward Nick Suzuki, and Montreal capitalized with a Patrik Laine power play marker in the first frame. It looked like all hope was lost for the Maple Leafs, but they fired seven unanswered goals and it was a resilient efforts.

After the game, Matthews explained the Maple Leafs’ mentality after a dreadful first period.

“I mean obviously, the first period wasn’t very good,” Matthews said. “I think just the message in the room after 20 was, we can play so much better. We’ve got 40 minutes. I think with the talent that we have in this room, I don’t think there’s any doubt in our minds we can claw our ways back. I think it’s a testament to the guys in the room, there’s a no quit mentality, and we just went out there one shift at a time, we didn’t try to do it all in one sequence. It was just trying to roll them over, we got efforts from every line, production from every line. That’s huge.”

Matthews’ performance in some ways was a microcosm of the Maple Leafs’ showing overall, as he responded with the first short-handed goal of his career. When asked about his goal, Matthews deferred and took accountability for his high-sticking penalty, while speaking to the character of his teammates.

“It felt pretty good. Tonight wasn’t my best tonight, especially that first period, that’s a tough penalty to give up there, with the momentum tipping on their side. That win feels really good. Obviously this building has been a tough one for us the last couple of years. That first period was tough, but like I said, a testament to this room, to the guys that we have, that we have no quit.”

Matthews has been in terrific form since returning to the lineup on January 4 against the Boston Bruins, with seven goals and 12 points in eight games, while shooting and skating with the same velocity we’ve come to expect from one of the NHL’s best players.

It was a tremendous comeback for the Leafs against their historical rival and Matthews’ comments are a firm reminder to the rest of the NHL: count the Leafs out at your own peril.