Toronto Maple Leafs vs Columbus Blue Jackets Picks and Predictions for Tuesday October 20 2026
Toronto has been making life harder than it needs to be. The Maple Leafs can score, and their power play has been doing its job. Then the other team gets a few good chances, the puck starts going in, and Toronto is right back in trouble. Columbus has its own problems, particularly when it’s shorthanded. So this might not be the game for anybody who enjoys watching goaltenders steal the show.
The Maple Leafs visit Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday, October 20, with puck drop at 7:00 PM ET. One betting board has Toronto as a heavy favorite, although other listings show a considerably smaller price. The total is around 6.5 goals. Check out our free NHL picks for more predictions.
Toronto Needs To Stop Giving Games Away
The Maple Leafs are 3-4-2. They’ve lost three straight, including games against Utah, Buffalo, and the Islanders. The frustrating part is that Toronto has enough offense to win. But the defense hasn’t been reliable, and the goaltending hasn’t been good enough to cover for the mistakes. A team can survive one bad period. Toronto keeps having trouble getting through a full game without one.
The Leafs are scoring 3.22 goals per game and allowing 3.44. Their power play is converting 26.7% of its chances, which is a big advantage in this matchup. Toronto’s penalty kill has also been excellent at 96.4%. That’s a strange combination for a club with a losing record. The special teams are doing their job. It’s the five-on-five defense and goaltending that have been letting the Leafs down.
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Toronto’s leading scorer has eight points through nine games, and the top of the lineup is producing enough to win. But the goaltending has a team save percentage around .883, and the primary starter is sitting below .900. John Tavares has been dealing with an undisclosed injury, while Chris Tanev and Max Domi are also on the injury list. Those absences matter. Toronto needs more stability, especially on defense.
Columbus Has To Stay Out Of The Penalty Box
Columbus is 3-4-0 and has been struggling to find any kind of rhythm. The Blue Jackets have lost four of seven, including their most recent game against Minnesota. They’re not getting much offense, and the defense hasn’t been particularly good either. Playing Toronto at home gives Columbus a chance to get things moving, but the Jackets can’t afford to spend half the night killing penalties.
Columbus is scoring just 2.43 goals per game and allowing 3.29. The power play is converting 11.8% of its chances, while the penalty kill is at 68%. That’s the number I’d circle. Toronto’s power play is clicking at better than 26%, and Columbus has been killing barely two-thirds of its penalties. That’s a bad matchup. The Jackets have been excellent on faceoffs at 55.7%, but they’ll need more than possession off the draw to keep Toronto under control.
Columbus has gotten some production from its top offensive players, but nobody has really carried the attack through the first seven games. The better goaltending option has a save percentage around .905, which is respectable. The team as a whole is around .883. The Blue Jackets also have defensive injuries, including Dante Fabbro, while Isac Lundestrom remains out with an Achilles injury. The missing depth doesn’t help a team already giving up too many goals.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Columbus Blue Jackets Picks and Predictions
Toronto Maple Leafs Moneyline
I’ll take Toronto, but I’m not laying a ridiculous price. The Leafs have lost three straight, and their defense hasn’t earned much trust. Still, Columbus is killing only 68% of its penalties. Toronto’s power play is converting 26.7%. That’s a matchup the Leafs ought to win. If Columbus stays out of the box, this gets much closer. But I think Toronto finds enough offense to snap the skid. I’d rather take a reasonable moneyline than mess around with the puck line.
Over 6.5 Goals
I’m going over 6.5. Toronto is allowing 3.44 goals a night, and Columbus is giving up 3.29. Both clubs have team save percentages around .883. That’s not great goaltending at either end. The Leafs should get power-play chances against a weak Columbus penalty kill, and the Jackets will have opportunities against Toronto’s shaky five-on-five defense. The risk is Columbus struggling to score again. But I think Toronto can get three or four by itself, and that gives the over a decent shot.
Final Picks: Toronto Maple Leafs Moneyline (price dependent) and Over 6.5 Goals
This preview was completed October 19, 2026. Betting lines, injuries, starting goaltenders, and records may change before Tuesday’s game.
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