Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction, NHL Odds
The Toronto Maple Leafs will be trying to post consecutive victories for the first time in seven games when they close out a two-game homestand with a visit from the Columbus Blue Jackets in Thursday NHL betting action at Scotiabank Arena.
The Maple Leafs halted a dismal five-game slide with Tuesday’s 3-2 win over St. Louis, and while they remain buried in 15th place in the Eastern Conference standings, the club sports an NHL-best 8-4-2 record on home ice. The Blue Jackets open their current four-game road trip with 5-2 loss in Winnipeg on Tuesday night, and have now fallen to defeat in five of their past six away contests.
Thursday night’s matchup is pegged as a pick ‘em, with both the Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets listed at -110 on the NHL odds, with the total set at 6.5.
Blue Jackets vs. Maple Leafs NHL Betting Odds
The Blue Jackets rolled to a 6-3 victory when the Leafs visited Columbus in the first meeting of the season between these clubs on October 29. That marked the Blue Jackets’ fourth win on five dates with the Leafs. However, the Buds posted a decisive 5-0 victory when the Blue Jackets last came to town and have topped Columbus in five of their past 10 regular season dates at Scotiabank Arena.
Each of the past four meetings between these clubs have been settled by multi-goal margins, with the Leafs averaging just 2.75 goals per game over that stretch. However, these teams have combined to produce mixed results in NHL totals betting with the OVER/UNDER going 6-6 in their past 12 clashes.
The Leafs got a much-needed victory on Tuesday night, overcoming an early deficit and slamming the door on St. Louis shooters after surrendering 4.40 goals per game during their preceding five-game swoon, but still have work to do after giving up 3.79 goals per game at home this season.
The Blue Jackets’ recent road woes continued in Tuesday’s loss to the Jets, which dumps them to 1-4-1 in their past six away dates, and have needed overtime or a shootout to earn their past three road victories.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets attack has run hot and cold during their current 3-4-2 run, scoring four or more goals three times while potting two or fewer markers on five occasions, leaving loyal fans wondering which edition of this club will show up on Thursday.
Kiril Marchenko continues to lead the club with eight goals and 22 points, but saw a 12-game points streak snapped in Tuesday’s loss to the Jets. Dmitri Voronkov has also struggled to find his rhythm, failing to crack the scoresheet in seven of 10 November dates, and has picked up a point in just one of his past seven appearances on the road.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs managed to snap their recent losing streak on Tuesday despite seeing their injuries mount. Matthew Knies missed Tuesday’s contest with a lower body injury and his status for Thursday remains uncertain. Knies has been a key contributor for the club in the early going, racking up five goals and 22 points in 19 games, and his continued absence further depletes a Toronto attack that is already missing injured captain Auston Matthews, Nicolas Roy, and rearguards Brandon Carlo and Chris Tanev.
However, William Nylander and John Tavares have effectively shouldered the offensive load. Nylander has recorded at least one point in 16 of his 17 game appearances this season, and Tavares has compiled eight points during a five-game home points streak. Accordingly, the duo are worth taking as a +400 bet on the NHL player props to pot the first goal on Thursday night.
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