Columbus Blue Jackets vs Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction & Picks - NHL

Prediction published on 11/20/25, 3:29 PM  by Taavi Pailk in NHL Picks

The struggling Toronto Maple Leafs will look to build some momentum on Thursday night at Scotiabank Arena against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Maple Leafs have won only nine of their 20 games this season and enter Thursday's matchup on the back of a 1-4-1 stretch. The team has lacked consistency all year, raising serious questions about its ability to contend for the championship.

Recently, injuries have also been affecting the Maple Leafs, who were without Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, and Nicolas Roy in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime victory against the St. Louis Blues. At the same time, the defense is missing Chris Tanev and Brandon Carlo, while goaltender Anthony Stolarz has also been sidelined.

The Blue Jackets recently lost their captain, Boone Jenner, to injury, but the team has stayed relatively healthy so far this season. This has helped Columbus put together a good run of results. Across the last 14 games, Dave Evason's men have suffered only four regulation defeats.

Columbus' impressive stretch includes a 6-3 home victory over Toronto on Oct. 29. The team jumped to a 6-1 lead in the game before a couple of late goals made the scoreline respectable for the Maple Leafs.