Game 3 Maple Leafs vs. Blue Jackets Prediction: Stanley Cup Qualifier Odds
It took the Maple Leafs exactly 96 minutes but they finally solved Joonas Korpisalo, scoring their first goal of the series, which was also the game winner in a 3-0 game two win. This series is now tied at 1-1.
Maple Leafs vs. Blue Jackets NHL Playoffs Odds
With the series tied at 1, the Maple Leafs are the favourites in game three for a third consecutive game. Currently at Sports Interaction they are listed at -160 favourites.
Series wise, Toronto is also -196 favourites to win the series with Columbus coming in at +137. The Leafs to wrap up the series in four games is paying +155.
Of note, for a second straight game there was no scoring in the first period between these two teams. This prop will be offered at SIA on game day.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs were a determined group in game two. They outshot the Blue Jackets 15-6 in the first period and 14-6 in the second period (39-20 overall). I fit wasn’t for the play of Korpisalo the score could have gotten out of hand.
Auston Matthews picked up a goal and an assist in the win. He was the game’s first star. John Tavares lead the team with eight shots on goal and also picked up a goal. Morgan Reilly chipped in an empty netter to seal the victory. Fredrik Andersen stopped 20 shots for his third career post season shutout.
Of note, defenceman Jake Muzzin was taken off the ice on a stretcher with 1:52 left in the game after his head made contact with the knee of Oliver Bjorkstrand. The team announced Wednesday that Muzzin will miss the remainder of the series.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Head Coach John Tortorella was in a bad mood after game two and left this nugget when asked to break down the game, “Toronto played a really good game. We sucked.”
The biggest positive for the Blue Jackets was the goaltending of Joonas Korpisalo. He continued where he left off in game one, providing the Blue Jackets with top flight goaltending in game two. It wasn’t enough as the Leafs found and took advantage of some defensive lapses in the game two win.
Through two games the Jackets have allowed 67 shots on goal, but have only allowed three goals against, and one of those goals was an empty netter.
Riley Nash and Nick Foligno led all Blue Jackets players with three shots on goal during the game. Seth Jones and Zach Werenski both logged over 28 minutes of ice time.
TOR
CLB