• Calle Jarnkrok made his season debut against the Sharks, a welcome return for the Maple Leafs. It was Jarnkrok’s 700th game, which is a major accomplishment, and we’re happy for him to reach this milestone. That’s where the positives end, unfortunately. Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube started Jarnkrok and the fourth line, perhaps out of sentimentality. It’s a small decision, but it also feels absurd, when you have first change and can set the tone against the NHL’s worst team. Jarnkrok is still working his way back into shape evidently and did not record a shot, he wasn’t noticeable in puck battles, and he lost containment on Tyler Toffoli for the game’s tying goal, doing nothing to impede the Sharks’ veteran. Jarnkrok does constitute an upgrade over some of the other options, namely Ryan Reaves, it wasn’t a good debut and it was even more puzzling from Berube.
• Timothy Liljegren returned to Toronto for the first time since he was traded to San Jose on October 30. Liljegren received a video tribute from the Maple Leafs during the first period, and he has plenty of well-wishers in Toronto. The 25-year-old was excellent for the Sharks, as the shots were 7-1 for the Sharks during his 20 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5. In some ways, it reignites the debate about the Maple Leafs’ bottom-six, as Simon Benoit was pushed off the puck was too easily by Alexander Wennberg on Tyler Toffoli’s game-tying goal, in what’s been a difficult season overall. Conor Timmins made a minimal impact Monday and he beat Liljegren for his job during training camp. Toronto needs more from its bottom-pair defenders — no one has really been exempt from criticism this year aside from the injured Chris Tanev, and Jake McCabe — and Liljegren’s strong return game casts this problem with stage lighting.
• Toronto’s power play was excellent, led by Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares and Matthew Knies at their best. Tavares tipped a great point shot from Mitch Marner in for the game’s opening goal, while Knies used his power to get the net-front and push the puck over the line. Toronto’s play at 5-on-5 was an entirely different story, where Matthews, Nylander and Nick Robertson were clearly a tier ahead of the rest of the team. Matthews and Nylander were constantly getting quality shots on net, or looking to create plays for their teammates. Robertson is playing some of the best hockey of his career, was forcing turnovers, and was clearly superior to both of his linemates, Bobby McMann and Max Domi. It’s entirely possible that the Leafs shake off a poor result to the league’s worst team as a one-off, but there wasn’t enough from the other skaters Monday.
• Pontus Holmberg may be the exemption in some ways. Holmberg drew his team-leading 23rd penalty of the season and seemingly has a knack for drawing the whistle. He’s been on fire out coming out of the 4 Nations break, but he didn’t make enough plays alongside Tavares and Nylander at 5-on-5, but he’s created a fascinating role for himself, where he gets a scorching power play back on the ice, and drives the net hard.
• Anthony Stolarz made a number of quality saves, but he’s at fault for both Sharks goals, or at the very least, the first one from Jack Thompson. Alexander Wennberg’s shot caromed off the end boards and right onto Thompson’s stick, but Stolarz didn’t track the puck and moved way too slowly to make a real effort on the play. Nylander was slow on the close-out, but Stolarz had to be better. Stolarz also allowed a weak second goal where Wennberg shook off Simon Benoit, then found Toffoli in front to tie the game. Benoit is at fault but Oliver Ekman-Larsson tries to get his stick in the passing lane and misses, Jarnkrok gets beat to the net and David Kampf doesn’t provide any help whatsoever, while Stolarz appeared to trip over the post. You can grant Stolarz a pass based on his terrific form to date, but it wasn’t a good performance from the 31-year-old.

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