The Columbus Blue Jackets are defending home ice tonight as they look to improve on their two-game winning streak against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs got crushed 5-2 last night against the worst team in hockey right now, the Montreal Canadians. Will they bounce back tonight in a back-to-back night matchup in Columbus? It’s time to continue our NHL odds series with a Maple Leafs-Blue Jackets prediction and pick.

Click here for our Risk Free $1000 Bet!

*To claim, new users need to register, make a first deposit, and then simply place their first real-money wager on FanDuel Sportsbook up to $1000! If a user loses their first wager, we’ll refund their losses in the form of a free bet up to $1000!*

Here are the Maple Leafs-Blue Jackets NHL Odds, Courtesy of FanDuel

NHL Odds: Maple Leafs-Blue Jackets

Toronto Maple Leafs: -1.5 (-105) (-260 ML)

Columbus Blue Jackets: +1.5 (-115) (+210 ML)

Over: 7 (+104)

Under: 7 (-128)

*Watch NHL Games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)

Why The Maple Leafs Can Cover The Spread/Win

The Maple Leafs have had a rough couple of games after losing to the St. Louis Blues 6-3 and then to the Montreal Canadiens 5-2. Toronto is known to have an “offense first” mentality, which has worked for them so far on the season as they have one of the best offenses in the league, especially on the power play. However, if their defense isn't showing up for every game, the Maple Leafs won't have a chance. They just allowed five goals to the worst offensive team in hockey last night and allowed another six goals on Saturday.

This could have the potential to be a start of a bad stretch for the Leafs, but not if Jack Campbell has anything to say about it as he'll look to get the starting role tonight. Campbell is holding onto a .922 save percentage and allowing 2.41 goals against per game. He'll look to shut the door against an, on paper, inferior opponent in the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight and go back home with an extra two points.

Why The Blue Jackets Can Cover The Spread/Win

The Blue Jackets are currently 11 points outside of a wild card spot for the playoffs, and while the fight isn't technically over, they'll have to keep up this recent win streak if they want to earn that last seeding. They quietly rank 11th best in the league for offensive production, scoring 3.27 goals per game, and have been flying under the radar all season. That's probably because they don't have very many recognizable names, but Boone Jenner and Patrik Laine can help pick that up by their performances.

Another guy who has the potential to be a household name, Elvis Merzlikins, looks to be getting the starting nod in net for Columbus tonight. He's recently fallen off after a very hot start early on in the season, but overall on the season he's 18-13-1 and allowing 3.42 goals against with a .903 save percentage. Merzlikins will have to put faith in his offense if they want to try and out-score the Maple Leafs and come out of this game with those desperately needed two points.

Final Maple Leafs-Blue Jackets Prediction & Pick

The Maple Leafs are known for going on rough stretches throughout their seasons, and could very well be at the start of another one tonight. Columbus knows how to score as they are 13-10-1 on home ice, and have had some rest in between games while Toronto is playing a back-to-back game tonight. I think the Leafs could continue to struggle and there's a lot of value in this Columbus underdog at home. The Blue Jackets need points and fast if they want to have a sniff at playoffs, so I think they could pull off a win here tonight.

Final Maple Leafs-Blue Jackets Prediction & Pick: Columbus (+210)