Columbus Blue Jackets vs Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction, 12/14/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Toronto Maple Leafs

Date: Thursday, December 14, 2023

Location: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON

TV: Sportsnet

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+200) Maple Leafs (-250)

The Columbus Blue Jackets (9-16-5) are traveling to Scotiabank Arena on Thursday where they will try to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs (15-6-5). The moneyline on this contest has the Blue Jackets at +200 and the Maple Leafs are sitting at -250. The over/under has been set at 7.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were on the losing side of the ice with a 5-2 loss against the Panthers their last time out. Columbus recorded 39 penalty minutes for this matchup. Additionally, they had 2 power play opportunities but weren't able to net one. The Blue Jackets left a lot to be desired in terms of their offense in this loss. In the game, they were able to notch a goal on 2 out of the 19 shots they put on goal.

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Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have tallied 85 power play opportunities (23rd in hockey) and have racked up 12 goals in those chances. The Blue Jackets so far have had 1,028 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .898. Columbus has tried 884 shots and has a shooting percentage of 9.8%. At even strength, the Blue Jackets have allowed the opponent to score 93 goals while getting 75 of their own. Columbus comes into tonight with 85 power play chances and they have notched 12 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a rate of 14.12%. For the season, they sit with 23 points and their points % is .383. Regarding their scoring capabilities, the Columbus Blue Jackets have accumulated 87 goals (15th in hockey) this season and have allowed 105.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Spencer Martin. Opponents have scored 167 goals versus Martin in his pro hockey career and his goals against average per game is 3.62. Martin has been involved in 49 games over the course of his hockey career. His save percentage currently sits at .887 for his 2,771 mins between the pipes. He has an overall record of 16-24-6 and got the start in 45 games. In his professional hockey career, Martin has accumulated 17 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .378. Martin has had 1,477 shot attempts taken against him and has garnered 1,310 saves.

When they took the ice last, Toronto went up against the Rangers in an outing where the Maple Leafs notched a win by a score of 7-3. The Maple Leafs earned 7 goals out of the 30 shots on goal they tried. They had 3 power play chances in this matchup and converted 1 out of those attempts.

The Maple Leafs have earned 71 goals at even strength and 19 goals (16th in professional hockey) while on the power play. Toronto has attempted 837 shots (16th in the league) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 10.75%, while allowing the opposition 836 shots. For the season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have a total of 90 goals, 35 points, as well as a points percentage of .673. They have allowed 83 goals to be scored by of a combination of 67 goals at even strength and 16 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have a tally of 76 power play chances and they have earned a power play rate of 25.00%. They have a penalty kill rate of 80.00% on their oppositions 80 opportunities on the power play, and their save percentage currently comes in at 90.1%.

For the opposition you are likely to see Ilya Samsonov in the crease. He has compiled 3,460 saves out of 3,819 shots tried, which gives him a rate of .906. Samsonov has compiled a lifetime mark of 84-33-17 and has been in goal for 143 games. He got the starting nod in 131 contests and his ice time sits at 7,980 mins. Samsonov's quality start percentage sits at 49.6% and he has qualified for 65 quality starting assignments in his pro hockey career. Teams are averaging 2.70 goals/game and he has conceded 359 goals in total.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Columbus (+200)

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