Leafs Captain Auston Matthews Shares Honest Thoughts After 4 Nations Face-Off Loss

With the 4 Nations Face-Off now concluded, players must move on from the tournament, whether on a high or a low.

For the Toronto Maple Leafs, the outcomes vary. Mitch Marner and Team Canada are riding high, with Marner having the biggest game of his career. He assisted on Connor McDavid's game-winning goal and recorded two assists in the 4 Nations finals.

For Auston Matthews, however, the experience is bittersweet. While he played exceptionally well, assisting on both of Team USA's goals and appearing to be the most dangerous player on the ice during overtime, he's left with a sense of disappointment after failing to capitalize on the opportunity to win the tournament.

Matthews shared his thoughts on how he's been feeling in the days following the loss to Canada, clearly showing his frustration and disappointment.

As per Terry Koshan on X:

Matthews and Marner will both play in tonight's game, which marks the first game for the Maple Leafs since the 4 Nations Face-Off ended.

This is particularly notable for Matthews, who had been battling an injury during the tournament that caused him to miss a game against Sweden on Monday. His return to the game action immediate following the break indicates that he is feeling better.

Matthews is having a bit of a down year by his standards, with 20 goals and 45 points in 40 games, and he has been dealing with injuries throughout the season.

For the Maple Leafs, the hope is that the players who participated in the tournament can bring back valuable lessons and share those insights with the team, helping guide them toward a deep playoff run this season.