Columbus Blue Jackets vs Toronto Maple Leafs: Maple Leafs will handle an uncomfortable opponent

Prediction for the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets vs Toronto Maple Leafs match, which will take place on March 8. Check the team conditions and choose several betting options.

Unfortunately, Columbus continues to lose their position. Before the start of the current regular season, there was no thought that the Jackets could compete for the playoffs, and the debut of the season only confirmed this, as they showed very modest results. Nevertheless, Brad Larsen's charges were in fancy form by the end of January, winning 9 out of 11 games. This run helped them get closer to cup eight, but the results gradually went down. In the last five meetings, the Mundials managed to win just once, and then 4:3 against New Jersey. Currently, Columbus remains in ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings but is already ten points behind the play-off zone.

Toronto is comfortable in terms of playoff contention, but they would like to try to overcome the first round of the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2004. The Maple Leafs had an outstanding regular season this year, but recently they were in a slump. In their previous 12 meetings, Sheldon Keefe's team had only five wins and seven losses. In their last two games, the White and Blue have lost to Buffalo and Vancouver 1:5 and 4:6, respectively. The Maple Leafs dropped to sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Columbus and Toronto come into the encounter not in the best of form. The Jackets have lost four of their last five meetings, while the Maple Leafs have lost five of their previous eight meetings. However, Sheldon Keefe's squad looks far more skilled and capable, so that they could be the favourites in the upcoming game. Unfortunately, the home team's chances of making the playoffs have dropped drastically because of their current slump, so they'll have severe problems with their attitude as well. As a result, we suggest betting on Toronto to win for 1.67.

Columbus has been an extraordinarily defensive and closed team in recent years, but things have changed since Brad Larsen took over as head coach. In the current regular season, the Jackets have consistently produced productive battles, with a total of 391 pucks (6.98 average per game) scored in 56 games, a solid showing. Toronto has a very entertaining statistic, with 365 pucks in 55 meetings (6.64 average per game). Moreover, both head-to-head encounters this season have been overmatched - 5:4 and 4:3. That's why we suggest betting on a total over for 1.84.

Aston Matthews continues his battle for the title of the season's top scorer. A solid showing is that the American forward currently leads the way with 39 goals in 52 games (0.75 average per game). He scored twice against Vancouver the day before and proved his superior form. Now he is one goal ahead of the nearest pursuer, so it's too early for the 24-year-old hockey player to slow down. We should also expect a high-scoring feat from him in the upcoming game. That's why we suggest betting on Auston Matthews Total Over 0.5 for 1.8.