Calle Jarnkrok believes Maple Leafs’ strong forecheck is key to another victory

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Calle Jarnkrok says the key to building off Tuesday’s win over the St. Louis Blues is to keep up the pace with a strong forecheck.

Toronto snapped a five-game losing streak, and Jarnkrok spoke with reporters ahead of Thursday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“When our forecheck is good, usually our game is pretty good, to get the puck out of our zone and spend some more time in theirs,” Jarnkrok said.

Jarnkrok specified that the forecheck is the key to getting their game going in the right direction, as it starts with getting the puck cleanly out of their zone and spending more time in the opponent’s end of the rink. The veteran forward will be on the top line alongside William Nylander and John Tavares, where Jarnkrok stated his goal is to work hard to get the puck to his star linemates.

The 34-year-old recorded four goals in 14 games this season, scoring in each of the Maple Leafs’ first three games.

“It’s kind of hard to say,” Jarnkrok said when asked about his season to date. “I played a couple of games, a couple in the stands. Back playing which was nice, but I thought I have had a pretty solid start.”

Jarnkrok has settled into his role as being the dependable utility player who can be utilized wherever he is needed. Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube knows he is in good hands when Jarnkrok is in the lineup.

“He’s a valuable guy,” Berube said of Jarnkrok. “He does a lot of things out there, night in, night out that go unnoticed, that we notice that maybe you guys don’t, or the fans. He’s a good penalty killer, he’s a hard worker, he does a lot of little things right all over the ice. And he can complement any line in certain ways, he’s valuable.”