The Columbus Blue Jackets (15-33-4) and Toronto Maple Leafs (32-13-8) meet Saturday at Scotiabank Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Blue Jackets vs. Maple Leafs odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Saturday will be the 2nd meeting this season between the Blue Jackets and Maple Leafs.
In Friday’s meeting, Toronto won 3-0 at Columbus as -254 favorites as the Under 6.5 cashed. C John Tavares had 2 goals and LW Pierre Engvall scored the other as Toronto bounced back from a 5-2 loss as +117 home underdogs vs. the Boston Bruins Feb. 1. G Ilya Samsonov stopped 30 shots for his 3rd shutout of the season.
Toronto is 1-4 in its last 5 games after allowing 2 or less goals in its previous contest.
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Blue Jackets at Maple Leafs odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:05 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Blue Jackets +300 (bet $100 to win $300) | Maple Leafs -360 (bet $360 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jackets +1.5 (+120) | Maple Leafs -1.5 (-140)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Blue Jackets at Maple Leafs projected goalies
Elvis Merzlikins (5-14-0, 4.42 GAA, .870 SV%) vs. Joseph Woll (3-1-0, 2.75 GAA, .911 SV%, 1 SO in 2021-2022)
Merzlikins faced the Maple Leafs twice last season and went 0-2-0, allowing 10 goals on 63 shots, good for a 6.19 GAA and .841 SV%. Merzlikins is 1-8-0 in 9 road starts this season with a 4.20 GAA and .875 SV% (259 saves against 296 shots).
Woll has never faced the Blue Jackets in his career and has never played a home game. In 14 games in the AHL this season with the Toronto Marlies, Woll is 13-1-0 and has allowed 33 goals on 472 shots, good for a 2.36 GAA and .930 SV%.
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Blue Jackets at Maple Leafs picks and predictions
Prediction
Maple Leafs 5, Blue Jackets 4
Moneyline
PASS.
The Maple Leafs (-360) should win, but Toronto is being slightly overvalued on the moneyline. Bet the puck line and/or total instead.
Puck line/Against the spread
BET BLUE JACKETS +1.5 (+120).
The Blue Jackets should be able to bounce back and keep it close on the 2nd night of a home-and-home. Columbus has played well in similar situations and is 5-0 in its last 5 games after a home loss by 3 or more goals and 11-5 vs. the Maple Leafs in the last 16 meetings in Toronto. Look for the Blue Jackets to be more competitive vs. a goaltender who is playing in just his 5th career NHL game.
Over/Under
BET OVER 6.5 (-105).
The Over is 5-1 in Columbus’ last 6 games after a home loss by 3 or more goals and 4-1-1 in Toronto’s last 6 vs. the Metropolitan Division. The Over has hit in 4 of Toronto’s last 5 games vs. teams with a winning percentage below .400 and is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings between these teams.
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