There was plenty of time to naturally reflect on the 2025-26 season, as the Toronto Maple Leafs lost 6-5 to the Dallas Stars in their final home game of the year. Toronto raced out to a 3-0 lead, surrendered the lead during the second period, re-emerged with a 5-3 lead, only to squander it permanently during the third period. In different circumstances, this game would’ve been viewed as a high-end thriller. Instead, it serviced as a rather entertaining means to an end, as the majority of Leafs Nation is aboard Team Tank.

John Tavares, Jacob Quillan, William Nylander, Max Domi and Nick Robertson scored for the Maple Leafs. Mavriq Bourque recorded a hat-trick for the Stars, while Jason Robertson, Wyatt Johnston and Arttu Hyry added singles.

Ryan Tverberg didn’t light up the scoresheet during his NHL debut on Monday, but he did all the small things well. Tverberg was primarily situated on the fourth line with Steven Lorentz and Jacob Quillan, and helped the line extend possessions and win pucks back, particularly through the first period.

“He’s got speed,” Berube said following the team’s morning skate. “He’s a tenacious player. His speed and tenacity is what drives him more than anything.”

Tverberg finished with a team-best 84.2 percent share of the expected goals at 5-on-5 via Natural Stat Trick, while recording one shot on goal. It wasn’t a perfect debut, as he took a tripping penalty against Mikko Rantanen, dragging down the Stars’ power forward egregiously. It was still a performance he can build off, and it begs the question why Berube was so reticent to use his Marlies call-ups earlier in the year.

It was a strong showing from the Marlies call-ups overall, punctuated by Jacob Quillan’s first NHL goal. Steven Lorentz surveyed the zone and attempted a wraparound. Quillan flew in and cleaned up the loose puck for a 2-0 lead. The speedy forward has been deployed in a bottom-six role during the entirety of his Maple Leafs’ tenure, and it was great to see him finally get rewarded.

It took 22 games, but Quillan is finally on the board. While he’ll be expected to produce more often to secure a full-time NHL role, it was another step in the right direction for the 24-year-old. Quillan is no longer a young, emerging part of the prospect pool, but he could be seriously vying for a full-time roster spot next fall, as the Maple Leafs will certainly re-tool and revamp their roster.

“Pretty cool,” Quillan said post-game. “I kind of blacked out a little bit. I got a little nervous that I was going to get called for kicking, but I kind of put my hands up in the air. Felt good.”

Although the Maple Leafs raced out to a 3-0 lead, it didn’t appear to be particularly safe. Mavriq Bourque scored during the opening minute of the second frame, picking off William Nylander, before beating Artur Akhtyamov cleanly.

Bourque improved as the game went on, and scored minutes later, converting off a rebound, after the Stars executed a beautiful passing sequence off the rush.

And with the game tied at 5-5, Bourque took advantage of the Maple Leafs’ porous net-front defence. Bourque cleaned up another puck in front of the net for a hat-trick, providing the Stars with the go-ahead goal, the final marker of the evening.

It may be a footnote in the short term, but if the Maple Leafs recoup their top-five pick, they may have to offer some belated thanks to Bourque and company.

Maple Leafs broadcaster Joe Bowen received a well-deserved tribute from the team during the third period. Bowen called his final home game, as he will be retiring at the end of the 2025-26 season. Bowen was met with a standing ovation throughout the arena and press box, and he was visibly moved.

Bowen has operated as the voice of the Maple Leafs for several generations, and his HOLY MACKINAW! call is unmistakable in franchise lore.

“Extremely special,” Maple Leafs forward John Tavares said post-game. “Couldn’t be more well deserved. He’ll be in Leafs lore forever. A major contributor to the club and to the fan base for an extremely long time. I’ve been fortunate to be a part of it as a kid and then a player so really, really special.

Congratulations on your retirement, Joe, from all of us at The Leafs Nation and across the fan base!

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