Columbus Blue Jackets vs Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction, 4/5/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Toronto Maple Leafs

Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025

Location: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON

TV: Sportsnet

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+150) Maple Leafs (-182)

Scotiabank Arena is the site where the Toronto Maple Leafs (46-25-4) will try to defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets (34-30-9) on Saturday. The odds on this game have the Blue Jackets at +150 and the Maple Leafs are coming in at -182. The betting total is set at 6.5.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 8-4 victory over the Predators in their previous contest . Columbus amassed 17 penalty minutes in this matchup. In addition, they had 5 power play opportunities and were able to score 2 goals. The Blue Jackets had a solid offensive outing and it was apparent in the win. For the game, they scored on 8 of the 37 shots they looked to score on.

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In reference to their goal scoring prowess, the Columbus Blue Jackets have racked up 236 goals (11th in hockey) on the season and have surrendered 245. For the season, they sit with 77 points and their points percentage is sitting at .527. Columbus has 171 power play chances and they have tallied 33 goals during those advantages, earning them a rate of 19.30%. While playing at even strength, the Blue Jackets have surrendered 197 goals while scoring 203 as an offensive unit. Columbus has taken 2,122 shots and has a shooting percentage of 11.1%. The Blue Jackets thus far have had 2,169 shots attempted against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .887. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have tallied 198 power play opportunities (20th in the league) and have racked up 48 goals in those chances.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Elvis Merzlikins. Merzlikins has been involved in 240 contests over the course of his hockey career. He has amassed an overall mark of 93-98-35 and was named the starter in 226 games. The opposition has been able to score 711 goals against Merzlikins in his pro career and his goals against average is 4.03. Merzlikins has seen 7,263 shots taken against him and he has 6,552 saves. His save percentage is at .902 for his 10,573 minutes played. During his career on the ice, Merzlikins has 109 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .482.

In their last game, Toronto went up against the Panthers in a game where the Maple Leafs earned a win by a score of 3-2. The Maple Leafs had 3 goals of the 26 shots on goal they were seeking. They had 1 power play opportunity in this contest but weren't able to put one in the back of the net.

Toronto has taken 2,114 shots (15th in pro hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 11.54%, while allowing the other team 2,203 shots. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 78.08% on their oppositions 219 power play opportunities, and their save percentage is 90.1%. They have a total of 203 chances on the power play and they have a power play rate of 26.11%. The Maple Leafs have scored 191 goals at even strength and 53 goals (7th in the NHL) while having a power play advantage. They have allowed 219 goals to be scored by of a combination of 171 goals at even strength and 48 goals while they had less men on the ice. During this campaign, the Toronto Maple Leafs have earned 244 goals, 96 points, in addition to a points percentage of .640.

Across the ice you are going to see Joseph Woll in goal. The opposition is averaging 5.48 goals/game and he has relinquished 203 goals in total. Woll's quality start rate sits at 56.9% and he has 41 quality starting assignments in his pro career. He has started in 72 contests and has racked up 2,221 mins. Woll is the owner of a career record of 46-26-2 and has participated in 75 games. He has accounted for 2,031 saves out of 2,234 shots tried, which gives him a rate of .909.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Columbus (+150)

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