Maple Leafs vs Blue Jackets Prediction 10/20/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Maple Leafs vs Blue Jackets prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, October 20th at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Preview

The Toronto Maple Leafs are 4-4-2 this season after they defeated the Sharks by a score of 3-1 in their last game. Toronto trailed 1-0 after the first period, but they scored once in the second and twice in the third to get the win. The Maple Leafs out shot San Jose by a total of 32-31, won 50.8% of the face-offs, and went 2-5 on the power play in the game. Toronto was led by Auston Matthews, who had one goal and two assists, while Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 30 out of 31 shots, which was a .968 save percentage.

Prior to that win, Toronto lost to the Islanders by a score of 4-1 and the Sabres by a score of 5-4. The Maple Leafs have scored 3.22 goals per game and they have allowed 3.44 goals against per game, while also going 26.7% on the power play and 96.4% on the penalty kill this season. Auston Matthews has led the team with seven goals and nine assists, while Anthony Stolarz is 2-1-0 with a 3.32 goals against average and an .875 save percentage this season.

Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets are 3-4-0 this year after they lost to the Wild by a score of 2-1 in their last game. Columbus tied the game at one late in the first period, but couldn’t find anymore offense in the low scoring loss. The Blue Jackets were out shot by a total of 34-15, won 47.8% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Columbus was led by Adam Fantilli, who had one goal, while Cam Talbot stopped 32 out of 34 shots in the loss.

Prior to that game, Columbus defeated the Rangers by a score of 1-0, but lost to the Panthers by a score of 7-3 before that. The Blue Jackets have scored 2.43 goals per game and they have allowed 3.29 goals against per game, while also going 11.8% on the power play and 68.0% on the penalty kill this season. Charlie Coyle has led the Blue Jackets with zero goals and six assists, while Jet Greaves is 2-2-0 with a 2.58 goals against average and a .905 save percentage this year.

Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win

• The Maple Leafs have lost nine of their last 10 road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Blue Jackets have won six of their last seven games at Nationwide Arena when playing with a rest advantage.
• The Maple Leafs have failed to cover the puck line in eight of their last nine games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in four of their last five games when playing with a rest advantage against Maple Leafs.
• The Blue Jackets have won the second period in each of their last four night games against the Maple Leafs when leading after the first period.

Why the Toronto Maple Leafs will win

• The Blue Jackets have lost each of their last five games as favorites against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• The underdogs have won three of the last four games between the Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.
• The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last nine games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The road team has covered the puck line in eight of the Maple Leafs’ last nine games.
• The Maple Leafs have won the third period in six of their last seven games as road underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents when leading after the second period.

Total Goals Facts

• Five of the Maple Leafs’ last six games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Four of the last five night games between the Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Maple Leafs’ last seven games as underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Blue Jackets’ last seven home games against Atlantic Division opponents.

Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts

• Kent Johnson has scored a goal in three of the Blue Jackets’ last four home games.
• Valeri Nichushkin has recorded an assist in four of his last five appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.

Toronto Maple Leafs Player Prop Facts

• Auston Matthews has scored at least one goal in nine of his last 12 appearances against the Blue Jackets.
• Kirill Marchenko has recorded an assist in seven of his last eight appearances with his team as an underdog.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 26th in the league for goals per game this season (2.43).
• The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 32nd in the league for power play goals this season (2).
• The Toronto Maple Leafs rank 1st in the league for power play goals against this season (1).
• The Toronto Maple Leafs have recorded the equal-most wins when trailing after Period 1 this season (3).

Maple Leafs vs Blue Jackets Prediction

Toronto comes into this matchup after snapping their losing streak with a win on Monday, so they will be on a back to back. The Maple Leafs are 1-1-1 on the road this year, while the Blue Jackets are 3-2-0 at home. Columbus has also lost three of their last four games and they have scored one regulation goal in their last two games. Neither team is playing very well right now, so I think the Maple Leafs have some value at this price. Take Toronto to win here.

David Racey's Pick: Maple Leafs ML