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Columbus Blue Jackets vs Toronto Maple Leafs prediction 12-23-23 NHL Picks
Columbus Blue Jackets (11-17-6) vs Toronto Maple Leafs (16-8-6)
2023-12-23 19:00:00 EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Columbus Blue Jackets +160 / Toronto Maple Leafs -200 --- Over/Under: 7
(Get latest betting odds)
The Toronto Maple Leafs need a win after losing 4 of their last 6 games. The Columbus Blue Jackets need a win after losing 6 of their last 9 games. Let’s preview this game and give out a Toronto Maple Leafs vs Columbus Blue Jackets prediction.
Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Preview
The Toronto Maple Leafs are coming off losses to the Rangers and Sabres. The Toronto Maple Leafs are averaging 3.57 goals per game and are scoring on 25.8 percent of their power play opportunities. Auston Matthews leads Toronto with 26 goals, William Nylander has 27 assists and John Tavares has 114 shots on goal. Defensively, the Toronto Maple Leafs are allowing 3.34 goals per game and are killing 78.3 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Ilya Samsonov has allowed 46 goals on 356 shots faced, while Joseph Woll has given up 41 goals on 490 shots.
Toronto Maple Leafs Team Facts
- The underdogs have won five of the Maple Leafs’ last six games.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in 21 of the Maple Leafs’ last 24 games.
- The favorites have won the first period in each of the Maple Leafs’ last seven games at Nationwide Arena.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Maple Leafs’ last 12 games as favorites against the Blue Jackets.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Sabres this week, but they also lost to the Devils and Capitals. The Columbus Blue Jackets are averaging 3.15 goals per game and are scoring on 16 percent of their power play opportunities. Boone Jenner leads Columbus with 13 goals, Zach Werenski has 24 assists and Adam Fantilli has 87 shots on goal. Defensively, the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowing 3.62 goals per game and are killing 82.1 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Spencer Martin has allowed 36 goals on 333 shots faced, and Elvis Merzlikins has given up 63 goals on 689 shots.
Columbus Blue Jackets Team Facts
- The Blue Jackets have lost each of their last eight games after coming off overtime.
- The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six home games after coming off overtime.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the last 12 games between the Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets.
- The favorites have won the first period in each of the last seven games between the Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Columbus Blue Jackets prediction
The Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Maple Leafs a little over a week ago, and neither of these teams have lit the world on fire these last couple of weeks. Still, the Maple Leafs are the more trustworthy side with the more explosive offense. That Blue Jackets are shaky at best and should have trouble slowing down Toronto. Home ice also hasn’t helped the Blue Jackets much, as they’re just 7-9-3. Give me the Leafs and the PL for max betting value.