Face-off: 1900 ET, 07/03/2022
Arena: Nationwide Arena
Columbus and Toronto have already had a couple of close encounters this season, including last month’s 4-3 overtime win for the Blue Jackets.
Both teams will be looking to steady the ship following two straight defeats and another tight tussle is expected at Nationwide Arena.
Punters can get 4.25 for a draw after regular time and that kicks off our Columbus Blue Jackets vs Toronto Maple Leafs predictions.
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Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
Columbus are coming off overtime losses at this venue on Friday and Saturday, going down 4-3 to Los Angeles and 5-4 versus Boston.
Both of those visiting teams have been in good form, so the Blue Jackets can at least be happy with being competitive.
Head coach Brad Larsen said: “You want all the points you can get, but there’s a reality with some of these teams that you’re playing.
“Not that you’re satisfied, but you look at our group there and what they are giving, I have no issue with how we played – and I’ll take the two points.”
A five-game homestand had previously begun with a 3-2 defeat by Pittsburgh before New Jersey were beaten 4-3, so hard-fought affairs are the norm right now.
It’s also worth noting that a bet on both teams to score at least three times would have paid out in seven of Columbus’ last nine matches, as well as both meetings with Toronto.
Looking at the NHL odds for this game, we like 2.4 for that wager to come in again.
Toronto Maple Leafs Odds
Toronto finished off February with a hat-trick of wins but have begun this month by losing 5-1 to Buffalo and going down 6-4 versus Vancouver.
After a poor showing against the Sabres, the Maple Leafs did at least lead the Canucks 4-3 after two periods.
“I thought we played a good game,” said coach Sheldon Keefe. “In comparison to our game the other night, it was not even close.
“I thought our guys played hard, I don’t think we gave up very much, but we absolutely have to do a better job in our own end dealing with pucks coming to our net.”
Both Jack Campbell and Petr Mrazek have been struggling between the pipes of late, but Toronto are in form going forward.
Auston Matthews leads the league in goals with 39 and Mitchell Marner is tied for fourth in the NHL scoring table since the turn of the year.
John Tavares, William Nylander and Michael Bunting have also helped to maintain a top-three placing in the Atlantic Division.
Let’s go with a 4-3 away win at 12.0 to complete our Columbus Blue Jackets vs Toronto Maple Leafs predictions, with overtime and penalties included if required.
Additional stats
Last result:
COLUMBUS 4-5 Boston (OT)
TORONTO 4-6 Vancouver
Season head-to-head: Columbus 4-3 Toronto, Toronto 5-4 Columbus
