Maple Leafs vs Blue Jackets Prediction NHL Picks Today 4/4

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Game Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Toronto Maple Leafs - April 4, 2023

The Columbus Blue Jackets will face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The Blue Jackets are coming off a thrilling 4-3 overtime win against the Ottawa Senators, while the Maple Leafs are looking to bounce back after their 3-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. According to NHL picks experts, the Maple Leafs are the clear favorites to win this game. The computer NHL picks, NHL picks em predictions, and NHL today experts all point to a Maple Leafs victory. NHL picks and parlays also favor the Maple Leafs, making them one of the best NHL bets today. The Maple Leafs have been dominant at home this season, with a 25-8-6 record. They have a strong offense, scoring a total of 255 goals this season, and are led by Auston Matthews, who has 37 goals and 41 assists. The Blue Jackets, on the other hand, have struggled on the road, with a 9-23-6 record. However, despite the odds, the Blue Jackets have been playing better as of late, winning three of their last ten games. Boone Jenner has been a standout player for the Blue Jackets, with 26 goals and 19 assists this season. Kirill Marchenko has also been playing well, scoring five goals with two assists in the last ten games. NHL experts picks today predict a high-scoring game, with both teams having strong offenses. The NHL picks with spread also favor the Maple Leafs, but the Blue Jackets could be a good underdog pick for NHL picks and parlays. In terms of injuries, the Maple Leafs are missing several players, including Victor Mete, Erik Gustafsson, and Nicholas Robertson. The Blue Jackets are without Mathieu Olivier, Nick Blankenburg, and Zach Werenski, among others. Overall, the Maple Leafs are the clear favorites in this game, but the Blue Jackets could surprise with a strong performance. NHL predictions today suggest a high-scoring game, and fans can expect an exciting matchup between these two teams.

Blue Jackets: Offensive Analysis

The Blue Jackets continue to struggle offensively, with only 202 total goals scored this season and an average of 2.8 goals per game in their last 10 games. Despite the recent scoring surge from Kirill Marchenko with five goals and two assists in his last 10 games, the team's main offensive weapon Boone Jenner only has 26 goals and 19 assists for the season. The odds are not in favor for the Blue Jackets against the Maple Leafs' strong home record of 25-8-6 and a scoring differential of +51. The Maple Leafs have an impressive offense with Auston Matthews leading the team with 37 goals and 41 assists. If the Blue Jackets hope to have any chance in this game, they will need a more well-rounded offensive effort, with contributions from other players beyond Jenner and Marchenko. However, without key players such as Patrik Laine, Zach Werenski, and Elvis Merzlikins due to injuries, it will be even more challenging for the Blue Jackets to compete against a strong Maple Leafs team. NHL picks experts and computer predictions are likely to heavily favor the Maple Leafs in this game, and it's hard to disagree with their assessment. The Blue Jackets will need to play strong defensively and hope to capitalize on any offensive opportunities if they hope to have a chance at an upset. Overall, the Blue Jackets' offensive struggles and injuries make it difficult to see them coming out on top against the Maple Leafs, who have been consistently strong this season. Best NHL bets today are likely to favor the Maple Leafs, and NHL picks and parlays may be difficult to achieve given the odds against the Blue Jackets.

Blue Jackets: Defensive Analysis

The Columbus Blue Jackets will be looking to continue their winning form when they visit Toronto on April 4, 2023, after their recent shootout win against Ottawa. However, they will face a tough challenge against a potent Maple Leafs' offense that has scored 255 goals this season. The Blue Jackets' defense has struggled this season, conceding an average of 3.59 goals per game, which places them at the bottom of the league. Furthermore, they have a -100 scoring differential, which reflects their difficulties in keeping their opponents' offense at bay. Their defensive issues have been compounded by several injuries to key players, including Zach Werenski and Elvis Merzlikins. They will need their remaining defensive players to step up and fill the void to prevent the Maple Leafs' offense from running riot. One player who has been a standout performer for Columbus this season is Boone Jenner. With 26 goals and 19 assists, he has been a reliable scorer for the Blue Jackets while also contributing to their defensive efforts. Additionally, Kirill Marchenko has been in good form, scoring five goals with two assists in his last ten games. Columbus will need a resilient performance from their defense that can withstand the Maple Leafs' offensive firepower. They will need to play smart, disciplined hockey and limit their mistakes to keep the score close. If they can do that, they have a chance to pull off an upset against the Maple Leafs. In conclusion, the Blue Jackets will need a strong defensive performance to have any chance of winning against the Maple Leafs. With their recent injuries and poor defensive record, they face a tough task against a top-ranked offensive team. However, with players like Boone Jenner and Kirill Marchenko in their lineup, the Blue Jackets can certainly make it difficult for the Maple Leafs to score.

Maple Leafs: Offense Analysis

The Toronto Maple Leafs are a scoring machine, with a total of 255 goals scored throughout the season. Auston Matthews is one of the front runners for the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy with 37 goals under his belt. Calle Jarnkrok has also been on fire, scoring four goals and three assists in his last 10 games. With such offensive firepower, it’s no wonder that the Maple Leafs have a +51 scoring differential. Looking at the nhl picks experts and nhl picks computer predictions, the Maple Leafs are favored to win against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Although the Blue Jackets managed to get a shootout win against the Ottawa Senators in their previous game, they have a poor record overall, with a -100 scoring differential. The Maple Leafs have a much better record of 45-20-10, and are expected to win this game. In terms of nhl predictions today, it’s likely that the Maple Leafs will continue their high-scoring ways against the Blue Jackets. In their previous meeting, the Maple Leafs won 3-0, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they managed to score even more goals this time around. Overall, the Maple Leafs have one of the best offenses in the league, and they’re likely to dominate against the Blue Jackets. For those looking to make nhl picks and parlays or find the best nhl bets today, the Maple Leafs with a spread could be a solid choice for this game.

Maple Leafs: Defensive Analysis

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a solid defensive unit that has helped propel them to a 45-20-10 record thus far. They have allowed just 204 goals against, a number that ranks 6th in the league this season. Their penalty kill has also been impressive, shutting down opponents on 82.8% of their power play opportunities. One of the key strengths of the Leafs' defense is their ability to move the puck up the ice quickly and efficiently. Players like Morgan Rielly and T.J. Brodie are skilled at transitioning the puck from defense to offense, which allows the Leafs to create scoring chances in the offensive zone. Another key strength of the Leafs' defense is their ability to limit shots against. They allow just 29.2 shots per game, which is the 5th lowest in the NHL. Their goaltending duo of Jack Campbell and Frederik Andersen has also been solid, helping to keep the team in games with timely saves. Injuries have been a bit of a concern on the defensive side for the Leafs, with key players like Jake Muzzin and Victor Mete currently out. However, the team has done a good job of filling those gaps and keeping opponents at bay. Overall, the Maple Leafs' defense is a strong unit that should help them contend for the Stanley Cup this season. They have the ability to shut down opponents and create scoring chances of their own, which should serve them well in their matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Injury Report

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without several players for their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Victor Mete is out with a lower body injury, Erik Gustafsson is day to day for personal reasons, Nicholas Robertson is out for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury, Noel Acciari is day to day with an undisclosed injury, Bobby McMann is out with a knee injury, Jake Muzzin is out for the season due to a spine injury, and Ryan O'Reilly is out with a finger injury. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets will also be missing several players for their game against the Maple Leafs. Mathieu Olivier is out with a leg injury, Nick Blankenburg is out with an ankle injury, Zach Werenski is out with a shoulder/labrum injury, Jake Bean is out with a shoulder injury, Justin Danforth is out with a shoulder injury, Patrik Laine is out with a triceps injury, Elvis Merzlikins is day to day with a leg injury, Adam Boqvist is day to day due to an illness, and Erik Gudbranson is out for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury. 

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