Maple Leafs vs Blue Jackets

2022 - 3 - 7

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Maple Leafs Hot Stove"

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Columbus Blue Jackets – Game #56 ... (Maple Leafs Hot Stove)

With 21 goals allowed in their last four games, the Maple Leafs are hoping for some stability on defense and in net tonight as they visit the 28-25-3 Blue ...

As a team, they’ve been right near the top of the league in a number of categories offensively. He’s defended the rush very well and been a big part of how we’ve done a better job [defending] the rush here. Having given up eight goals in the back-to-back on Friday-Saturday, Merzlikins should have his hands full tonight against a Bunting-Matthews-Marner combo that have been absolutely flying as of late. Having not traveled with the team to Columbus for the game tonight, both Ondrej Kase and Rasmus Sandin will miss a second consecutive game for the Leafs tonight. He collected wins in his two previous starts before the loss to Buffalo, but he will face the challenge tonight of a Columbus team that has scored 11 times in their last three and is among the league leaders (alongside the Leafs and Panthers) in goals for per game since late January (4.06). Fingers crossed. Currently, they’re the highest-ranked team on the outside looking in on a wild card spot.

Matthews hits 40 goals for 3rd straight season as Maple Leafs hold ... (CBC.ca)

Auston Matthews became the first player to score 40 goals this season, Petr Mrazek made 31 saves and the Toronto Maple Leafs held off the hometown Columbus ...

Matthews got his league-leading 40th goal about three minutes later with a wraparound shot to the far post. "And we just kept playing and scored a couple big goals to give ourselves a lead." The Blue Jackets had tied it by early in the third period, but couldn't get a go-ahead tally.

Maple Leafs hang on to edge Blue Jackets as Matthews scores 40th (Toronto Sun)

It's March and Auston Matthews has again raised the temperature to the 40s.

Matthews didn’t get an assist, but was justly rewarded moments later, receiving the puck behind Merzlikins from Marner, sweeping in his milestone 40th with a backhander. Yet, when the Columbus goal cannon boomed the third time, there were some tight collars on Toronto’s bench. “Hopefully we can build on this.” League goal leader Matthews, with linemates Bunting and Mitch Marner, each had a goal and an assist. Petr Mrazek bent but didn’t break with 31 stops, his key saves coming after the Jackets made it 3-3 on the power play early in the third. Toronto built a three-goal lead in Columbus, thanks largely to Matthews’ play and his 40th goal to tie Darryl Sittler’s franchise record of four seasons at that plateau.

Matthews hat trick powers Maple Leafs to 6-4 win over Kraken (ESPN)

Coming off Monday's 5-4 road victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets, and playing their third of four games in six nights, the Maple Leafs opened the scoring at 3:18 of the first when Matthews fired his 41st past Grubauer as Toronto's top-ranked ...

Seattle tied it just 2:29 later when Nylander turned the puck over at the offensive blue line on a Toronto power play. Toronto winger Wayne Simmonds was honored before puck drop for playing in the 1,000th regular-season game of his career Saturday. … Leafs winger Ondrej Kase (upper-body injury) returned to the lineup after missing four straight contests. Toronto has allowed four goals or more for the eighth time in 10 games. Toronto, which surrendered a 3-1 lead to Seattle, was up 3-0 following the first period of Monday’s 5-4 road victory over Columbus before the Blue Jackets tied things up. “We’re never down and out,” Marner said. Seattle scored twice in the second period to tie the game 3-all before Schwartz tipped his seventh of the season past Campbell at 5:57 of the third.

Maple Leafs vs Blue Jackets Picks and Predictions: Offenses Run ... (Covers.com)

NHL odds, picks and predictions for Toronto Maple Leafs at Columbus Blue Jackets on March 7. NHL betting free picks for moneyline and Over/Under.

Blue Jackets picks, you could win $52.67 on a $10 bet? Look for the Maple Leafs to come out with another strong effort and take care of business — shaky goalies be damned. We'll take the Over 7 too — because...y'know... Well, the Buds have been hemorrhaging goals — they're 28th in the league since February 14 at a cool 4.0 per game — and their last eight games have seen the following opponent scores: 6, 5, 3, 7, 1, 4, 5, 6. We'll take the Over 6.5 with some extra juice... The Over is 35-14-4 in the Blue Jackets' last 53 home games. Death, taxes, and the Toronto Maple Leafs being maddeningly frustrating. Blue Jackets. The Leafs are sizeable NHL betting favorites on the road tonight — can we trust them to win with our free NHL picks and predictions? Heck, can we trust anything — other than another hateful night for goaltenders — in this Maple Leafs vs. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets. This is a large change from the last meeting between these teams about two weeks ago, when Columbus closed at +233, also at home.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Columbus Blue Jackets odds, picks and ... (USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire)

The Maple Leafs have dropped the past two games, both at home, losing to the Buffalo Sabres (5-1 Wednesday) and Vancouver Canucks (6-4 Saturday). The Jackets ...

If you’re not feeling the home side straight up, the BLUE JACKETS +1.5 (-135) plus the goal and a half is not out of line if you’d like a little insurance. The Over is also 15-5-1 in Toronto’s last 21 on the road while going 19-6-2 in the last 27 as a home ‘dog for Columbus. The value play here is backing the BLUE JACKETS (+180) for a chance to nearly double up. Columbus has won two of the last three meetings with the Leafs at home while going 5-3 across the past eight in this series. The Jackets have won just once in their last five outings (1-2-2). Blue Jackets odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.