Matthews downplays Montreal boos: 'Must be doing something right'

Auston Matthews isn't surprised that he got a chilly reception from fans at the Bell Centre at the 4 Nations Face-Off on Wednesday night.

The Toronto Maple Leafs captain, who's also wearing the "C" for Team USA at the ongoing event, was vigorously booed by the Montreal faithful when he was introduced during the opening ceremony before Canada's win over Sweden.

Matthews shrugged it off when asked about it Thursday.

"It's something you just embrace and have fun with," he said, according to TSN's Mark Masters. "I mean, if you're getting booed you must be doing something right. ... I take it as a good thing or maybe as a sign of respect."

Matthews has 28 goals and 18 assists in 36 career regular-season games against the Canadiens.

The three-time "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner and 2022 MVP posted one tally and four helpers in seven contests versus the Habs during the 2021 playoff series in which Montreal prevailed.

The U.S. meets Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off on Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET.