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+).
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.
Blue Jackets at Maple Leafs odds
- 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)
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%.
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.