Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, NHL Odds
The Toronto Maple Leafs continue the search for their first road win since November 1 when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday night in NHL betting action at Nationwide Arena.
The Maple Leafs opened their current six-game road trip with a dismal 5-2 loss to the arch-rival Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night and have now fallen to defeat in seven of their past eight overall. The Blue Jackets return home on a two-game slide after falling 5-1 in Washington on Monday night, but have claimed victory in four of their past five home contests.
The Blue Jackets lead the way as slender -120 favourites on Wednesday’s NHL odds. The Maple Leafs trail as +100 underdogs but are a lofty -250 bet on the NHL puckline, and the total is listed at 6.0.
Maple Leafs vs. Blue Jackets NHL Betting Odds
Wednesday’s contest marks the third and final meeting of the season between these clubs and their second clash in the past week. The Blue Jackets rolled to a 6-3 home victory over the Buds on October 29 and followed up with a 3-2 win in Toronto last Thursday, and have taken five of six from Leafs including three straight at home.
Columbus has filled the net during their three-game home win streak against Toronto, scoring six goals in each of those contests and have limited the Leafs to just 2.60 goals per game over their past five tilts.
An inability to keep the puck out of the net has emerged as a big problem for the Maple Leafs, who have surrendered four goals per game during the 1-5-2 swoon that has dumped them into last place in the Atlantic Division standings and saddled them with a 31st-ranked 3.73 team goals against average. And with just nine total goals scored over their past four contests, the UNDER has paid out three times, ending an epic 13-0 run for the OVER.
The Blue jackets have not fared much better, surrendering four goals per game while losing three of four, but have given up just 2.80 goals per game while winning four of five at home.
Toronto Maple Leafs
A visit from the Leafs proved to be a tonic for the previously moribund Canadiens, who stormed to a 4-0 lead by midway through the second period and never looked back. Overall, Toronto has scored just 15 total goals in regulation at even strength over the past eight games and have held the lead for fewer than four total minutes over the past four games.
John Tavares has managed to avoid the slump that has paralyzed this club, recording 27 points including a team-high 12 goals, but was held off the scoresheet in Montreal while mustering just one shot on goal. William Nylander got in on both goals on Saturday, scoring once and adding an assist but failed to record a point on six shots in last week;s loss to the Blue Jackets.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets are hoping to duplicate the Habs’ efforts after losing three of four on their recent road trip, but will have to do so without the services of leading point-getter Kirill Marchenko, who is expected to miss Wednesday’s contest with an upper body injury.
That adds to the pressure on Dmitri Voronkov and Adam Fantilli to produce after turning in disappointing performances in Monday’s loss to the Capitals. The duo share the team lead with nine goals, with Fantilli potting seven markers in the past nine games including a two-goal performance in last week’s win over Toronto that add to his value as a +180 bet on the anytime goal scorer odds. However, Voronkov has endured an uneven November, scoring just four goals in 13 outings but has bulged the twine in each of his past two home appearances.
