Leafs Even Series with CBJ; Toronto’s Odds to Win Best-of-Five Improve to -200
- The Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets play-in series is tied 1-1
- Frederik Andersen ranks first in both goals against average and save percentage in the postseason
- The Maple Leafs are trending towards a series win thanks to three players in particular
Game 2 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets looked much different than the opener. Toronto controlled play throughout and ultimately came away with a 3-0 victory to even the series.
The oddsmakers like their chances to advance. Toronto was a +125 underdog after falling behind 1-0, but are now -200 favorites to advance, slightly shorter than their odds before the series began.
Updated Blue Jackets vs Maple Leafs Series Odds
| Team | Current Odds at DraftKings | Odds after Game 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus Blue Jackets | +165 | -150 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | -200 | +125 |
Odds as of August 5th.
The Leafs also saw a boost in their Stanley Cup odds after their Game 2 win, though neither team is getting much respect right now.
After watching two games, only one of the two clubs looks like a true contender and that’s Toronto. Here are three reasons to like them to get past Columbus and continue forward into the playoffs.
Frederik Andersen Leading the Way
For all the talk of how great Blue Jackets goalie Joonas Korpisalo has been in the series, it’s actually Frederik Andersen who has put up the better numbers. In fact, he leads the entire postseason in both goals against and save percentage. He’s allowed only one goal on 54 shots in two games. The Jackets should consider themselves lucky to be tied in the series.
Notorious slow starter Frederik Andersen leads all NHL goalies in save percentage and goals-against average. pic.twitter.com/5yWFyiz8m1
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) August 5, 2020
With Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Muzzin done for the series after suffering an injury late in Game 2, Andersen will be relied upon even more to shut down the Blue Jackets. If the first two games are any evidence, he’ll remain up to the task.
Matthews & Tavares Causing Tortorella Problems
Columbus head coach John Tortorella has his two best defenseman, Seth Jones and Zach Werenski, playing together, which is has pros and cons. When they are on the ice, they are a strength at both ends of the ice. But when they need rest, it creates opportunity for Toronto.
A great example of this was Auston Matthews’ opening goal in Game 2. Seth Jones had done a great job keeping him off the score sheet but, the minute he went to the bench, Matthews took advantage and scored the eventual game-winning goal.
An ice level look at tonight’s winner 👀 #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/QXVGknyClF
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) August 5, 2020
If Tortorella continues to pair his top two d-men together, these opportunities will keep presenting themselves. Few teams have depth down the middle like the Maple Leafs, specifically on their top two lines. John Tavares added the insurance marker in the third period, highlighting how big a problem he and Matthews are for Columbus as the series moves forward.
Is There Value Betting Toronto?
The Maple Leafs are currently listed at -200 and I think they will win this series. The price point is right on the edge, value wise. If you’re as confident as I am in the ability of Matthews, Tavares, and Andersen to get the job done, trust the more talented team to advance and place the bet prior to Game 3.
PICK: Toronto Maple Leafs (-200)
Ryan has been working at TSN for over eleven years, and is now a lead writer and content producer at That's Hockey. Over the years, he's launched and hosted TSN's first NCAAF podcast, The College Football Show, and been featured on the likes of TSN 1050, Sportscentre, and That's Hockey 2Nite.
