Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews isn't phased by the negative criticism the team has received throughout a subpar opening month to the season.
"We're 14-to-15 games in and the world's crashing down on us but we're staying positive in this room," Matthews told the assembled media Friday, including TSN.
"It's early. We're still meshing together (with) new guys and new faces, so like I said, we want to take another step here in November and continue to put our best foot forward."
A busy offseason saw the Leafs undergo their largest roster turnover with this core group of players, but with nine of their 14 games in November coming away from Scotiabank Arena, forward Mitch Marner hopes the club can mesh during its time on the road.
"We're more traveling this time around and we're going on road games, we're getting time with each other on the road," Marner said.
"I think it's good we're going to get some time to hang out on the road ... We haven't been able to really do that over this past month and it's always big for your team (to) get chemistry going early. We still have a lot of new guys on this team and this month's going to be big for us."
With team captain John Tavares and forward Zach Hyman nearing a return, Toronto is inching toward having all its regulars healthy for the first time this season.
The Leafs will look to begin November on the right note when they travel to Philadelphia to clash with the Flyers on Saturday.
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