We’ve got eight games on the NHL betting slate today, including an Eastern Conference clash between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.
Auston Matthews has made a living out of torching the Blue Jackets throughout his career with 22 points in 16 games, including a handful of multi-point efforts along the way, thus making his point total the focus of my Maple Leafs vs. Blue Jackets predictions.
Find out why in my NHL picks for this January 22 Leafs vs. Blue Jackets matchup.
Maple Leafs vs Blue Jackets prediction
My Leafs pick
Auston Matthews Over 1.5 points (+130 at Sports Interaction)
My Leafs analysis
The Toronto Maple Leafs will look to win their fourth in a row when they welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets to town.
The Jackets had been rolling recently, going on a six-game winning streak before sputtering out in their last couple of games here, losing 1-0 and 3-1, both losses coming on the road. Columbus has been Jekyll and Hyde this year, depending on where they’re played.
The Jackets have been excellent inside Nationwide Arena, sporting a 16-5-3 record. However, things drop off massively when they hit the highway. The team has the worst record in the conference with a lowly .348 points percentage and a -28 goal differential, allowing the third-most goals per game in the NHL (3.62).
The Leafs are a strong home team and should be able to take full advantage of a Columbus group that doesn't travel well. Toronto has also averaged 4.00 goals against CBJ over the last five meetings.
One player who seems to always litter the scoresheet in these matchups is none other than the three-time Rocket winner Auston Matthews. The Leafs sniper has 11 goals and 20 points in the last 10 meetings against Columbus, seven of those games being multi-point efforts.
This is why his Over 1.5 points is super appealing to me, especially with the Leafs captain finally looking healthy again amid his strongest stretch of games this year. He's scored in four straight games and has gone Over the 1.5-point total in two of those four. Given how hot he is and his past success against the Blue Jackets, I think he’s bound to do it again.
Maple Leafs vs Blue Jackets same-game parlay (SGP)
Auston Matthews anytime goalscorer
Auston Matthews 3+ shots
Zach Werenski 3+ shots
We’ll mirror the best bet with a goal from Auston Matthews. The Leafs captain has 13 goals in 16 career games against Columbus and has cashed in this prop in nine of the last 10 meetings between the two clubs. He also finally looks healthy and confident again, which has allowed him to score in four straight outings. He should be able to make it five in a row in this spot.
Next up, we’ll stick with the Matthews prop market and take him to register 3+ shots on goal. This is another prop he’s cashed in nine of the last 10 meetings against the Blue Jackets. He’s also averaging 3.87 shots per game and has gone Over the total in two of his last three outings.
Let’s continue to pound the shot prop market and take Blue Jackets star defenseman Zach Werenski to go Over 2.5 shots tonight. He leads Columbus with 180 shots on goal, averaging 3.82 per game, and Toronto gives up the ninth-most shots on goal per contest (29.2).
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Maple Leafs vs Blue Jackets odds
Maple Leafs vs Blue Jackets live odds
Maple Leafs vs Blue Jackets opening odds
- Puck line: Toronto -1.5 (+110) | Columbus +1.5 (-130)
- Moneyline: Toronto -225 | Columbus +185
- Over/Under: Over 6 | Under 6
Odds courtesy of Sports Interaction.
Maple Leafs vs Blue Jackets trend
The Over is 4-1-1 in the last six meetings between these clubs. Find more NHL betting trends for Maple Leafs vs. Blue Jackets.
How to watch Maple Leafs vs Blue Jackets
| Location | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON |
| Date | Wednesday, 1-22-2025 |
| Puck drop | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | Sportsnet |
Maple Leafs vs Blue Jackets latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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