The Toronto Maple Leafs (35-16-4) visit the Columbus Blue Jackets (28-25-3) Monday at Nationwide Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+/Hulu). Below, we look at the Maple Leafs vs. Blue Jackets odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Maple Leafs have dropped the past two games, both at home, losing to the Buffalo Sabres (5-1 Wednesday) and Vancouver Canucks (6-4 Saturday). The Jackets won 4-3 in overtime Feb. 22 the last time these teams met, which was also in Columbus.
The Blue Jackets were edged 5-4 in a shootout against the Boston Bruins Saturday for a second straight loss. The Jackets have won just once in their last five outings (1-2-2).
Maple Leafs at Blue Jackets odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:15 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Maple Leafs -230 (bet $230 to win $100) | Blue Jackets +180 (bet $100 to win $180)
- Against the spread (ATS): Maple Leafs -1.5 (+110) | Blue Jackets +1.5 (-135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -135 | U: +110)
Maple Leafs at Blue Jackets projected goalies
Petr Mrazek (9-5-0, 3.22 GAA, .890 SV%) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (19-14-3, 3.42 GAA, .903 SV%, 2 SO)
Mrazek had a three-game win streak snapped when he was knocked around for 5 goals on 31 shots last time out against the Sabres Wednesday. This would be Mrazek’s first appearance against the Jackets since Jan.16, 2020, when he was a member of the Carolina Hurricanes.
Merzlikins was in net for the last two games, a loss in a shootout to the Bruins Saturday and a 4-3 overtime setback to the Los Angeles Kings Friday. He allowed 5 goals on 30 shots in a loss in Toronto Dec. 7.
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Maple Leafs at Blue Jackets odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Blue Jackets 4, Maple Leafs 3
Money line
The value play here is backing the BLUE JACKETS (+180) for a chance to nearly double up. Columbus has won two of the last three meetings with the Leafs at home while going 5-3 across the past eight in this series. The Maple Leafs just seem to struggle with CBJ for whatever reason.
Against the spread
If you’re not feeling the home side straight up, the BLUE JACKETS +1.5 (-135) plus the goal and a half is not out of line if you’d like a little insurance. While the Jackets are just 1-4 in their last five games overall, they’re 6-1 in their last seven on a single day of rest and 5-1 in the previous six against the Atlantic Division.
Over/Under
The lean is OVER 6.5 (-135) but play it very lightly mainly due to the series trends.
The Over is 6-2-2 in the last 10 meetings in Ohio’s capital city while going 3-1-1 in the past five meetings overall. The Over is also 15-5-1 in Toronto’s last 21 on the road while going 19-6-2 in the last 27 as a home ‘dog for Columbus.
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