Maple Leafs vs. Blue Jackets Prediction
Two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference will do battle tonight when the Toronto Maple Leafs play at the Columbus Blue Jackets. Will the hosts take care of business tonight or can Toronto pull off the small upset?
Game Snapshot
65 Toronto Maple Leafs at 66 Columbus Blue Jackets
Friday, November 23, 2018
Nationwide Arena at 7:05PM ET
TV; FS-O (COL)
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Blue Jackets are a -125 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Maple Leafs are a +105 underdog, while the total sits at 6 goals. As of Friday morning, 61 percent of public bets are being placed on host Columbus. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Toronto’s four-game win streak halted
The Maple Leafs had their four-game winning streak snapped Wednesday night with a 5-2 loss at Carolina. A goal by Kasperi Kapanen with nine minutes left in the third period trimmed the deficit for Toronto (15-7-0) down to 3-2, but two more goals by Carolina put it away. John Tavares scored his 14th goal for the Maple Leafs in the first period to trim the deficit to 2-1 at that point. Tavares’ goal was unassisted, while Travis Dermott assisted on the Kapanen goal. Frederik Andersen surrendered three goals on 43 shots to take the loss.
Blue Jackets fall at Maple Leafs
Columbus has been off since Monday night and will now be looking for revenge tonight after falling 4-2 at Toronto its last game, which ended a three-game winning streak. The score was tied 2-2 going into the third period, but two Zach Hyman goals in the final 4:22 sealed it for the hosts. Cam Atkinson scored his 13th goal, while Pierre-Luc Dubois scored his 10th goal in the first period as the Blue Jackets (12-7-2) grabbed a 2-0 advantage. Dubois assisted on the first goal, while Atkinson and Artemi Panarin assisted on the second score. Tyler Ennis and Tavares scored the first two goals for Toronto to tie it at 2-2. Sergei Bobrovsky took the loss for Columbus as he gave up three goals on 22 shots, while Andersen had 37 saves on 39 shots to get the win for the Maple Leafs.
NHL Betting Trends
Toronto
The Maple Leafs are 5-0 in their last five games after allowing five or more goals in their previous game. The over is 2-0-2 in the last four versus Eastern Conference opponents.
Columbus
The over is 5-0-1 in the last six versus the Atlantic Division. The Blue Jackets are 14-3 in their last 17 games on three or more days of rest.
Prediction:
The Blue Jackets have had time to rest, watch tape from playing Toronto earlier in the week and regroup. Columbus is traditionally tough on its home ice and it will have an extra focus after falling to the Maple Leafs four days ago. Go with Bobrovsky and the Blue Jackets here.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS -125