NHL betting returns to the ice as the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Columbus Blue Jackets in a Qualifying Round matchup to determine which team will advance to the NHL playoffs.
These teams have completely opposite playing styles with the high-scoring Maple Leafs currently at -194 to get into the Stanley Cup playoffs, while the stingy Blue Jackets are +137.
We break down NHL odds as we bring you free picks and predictions for the play-in series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Maple Leafs vs Blue Jackets Qualifying Round Odds
| Team | Odds to win the series |
|---|---|
| Toronto Maple Leafs | -194 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | +137 |
Odds courtesy of Sports Interaction
Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs Stanley Cup Odds +1,000
Led by Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and John Tavares, the Leafs are one of the top offensive teams in the league, ranking third in goals and sixth in both shots per game and powerplay percentage. As great as they've been on the offensive end of the ice, they've been ugly on the defensive end allowing the sixth-most goals and ranking 21st on the penalty kill.
Toronto looked like it had finally figured things out after firing Mike Babcock in November, going 15-4-1 in their first 20 games under Sheldon Keefe. However, after that surge the Leafs dropped back to mediocrity, winning just 12 of their last 27 contests.
Toronto Maple Leafs betting trends
- The Leafs have surrendered the third-most goals in the league during the third period with 83.
- The Leafs have the fourth-worst winning percentage in the NHL in games decided by one goal.
- The Leafs are third in the league in faceoff win percentage (52.5).
Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets Stanley Cup Odds +5,000
While the Leafs like to play fast and loose, the Blue Jackets thrive with a much tighter gameplan. Columbus is third in the league in goals allowed per game but is just 28th in the league in goals for.
Forwards Gustav Nyquist and Pierre-Luc Dubois certainly aren't going to strike fear into the hearts of opposing teams, but Columbus boasts one of the premier defensive pairings in the league with Seth Jones and Zach Werenski. They also have one of the NHL's top young goalies in surprising rookie Elvis Merzlikins, who has gone 12-5-4 with a 2.02 GAA and a .933 save percentage since January 1.
Columbus Blue Jackets betting trends
- The Blue Jackets have allowed the fewest goals in the league during the third period with 51.
- The Blue Jackets have generated the second-fewest high-danger scoring chances in the NHL, while also allowing the second-fewest high-danger scoring chances.
- Columbus is 26th in the league in faceoff win percentage (48.5)
Maple Leafs vs Blue Jackets Head-to-Head Comparison
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Tale of the Tape | Columbus Blue Jackets |
|---|---|---|
| 36-25-9 | Record | 33-22-15 |
| 39-29 | O/U | 27-42 |
| 3.39 | Goals Per Game | 2.57 |
| 3.17 | Goals Allowed Per Game | 2.61 |
| 23.1 | Power Play Percentage | 16.4 |
| 77.7 | Penalty Kill Percentage | 81.7 |
Maple Leafs vs Blue Jackets Picks and Predictions
Series Prediction: Columbus Blue Jackets +137 - The Buds aren't quite as bad in nets as the stats suggest, especially when you consider that Toronto's team GAA was inflated by former backup Michael Hutchinson, who went 4-9-1 with 3.66 GAA. Starter Frederik Andersen is much more reliable with a 2.85 GAA and a save percentage of .909, but the simple truth is that a low-scoring series favors the Blue Jackets.
Columbus finishes their checks, blocks a ton of shots and does a great job of cycling the puck. Head coach John Tortorella is very effective at rotating his lines and the Blue Jackets know how to win close games, as evidenced by their league-high 20 victories in one-goal contests.
They also know a little bit about winning as an underdog against a high-scoring team after sweeping the Tampa Bay Lightning as the No. 8 seed in the first round of the playoffs last season.
Columbus needs to generate more scoring chances, but getting a healthy Oliver Bjorkstrand and Cam Atkinson back will be a big boost. This should be a closer series than the oddsmakers seem to think, which makes the underdog Blue Jackets the better value play.
More NHL Qualifying Round picks and predictions
Under the NHL's special return to play format, there are eight best-of-five Qualifying Round matchups preceding the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Check out our best picks and predictions for all the other series that are scheduled to take place when NHL action resumes:
Western Conference
- Edmonton Oilers vs. Chicago Blackhawks
- Nashville Predators vs. Arizona Coyotes
- Vancouver Canucks vs. Minnesota Wild
- Calgary Flames vs. Winnipeg Jets
Eastern Conference
- Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens
- Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Rangers
- New York Islanders vs. Florida Panthers
Where can I bet on NHL Playoffs odds?
Most online books and casinos offer bets on the Stanley Cup Playoffs and should offer odds on this special Qualifying Round. Check out the best sportsbooks available where you live and see what they are offering for NHL Playoffs odds.
