Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Columbus Blue Jackets prediction, pick for 2/10: Can Leafs win on the road?

Yardbarker Quick Pick

Both teams have been letting up goals in their respective locations over the last 10 games; Toronto 3.3/game, Columbus 3.8/game. That right there got the over on our radar, and then we looked at recent games between these two. The over has hit in four straight, and with Toronto losing goalie Matt Murray but getting back Auston Matthews, the forecast calls for plenty of offense. Take over 6.5 here. — Griffin Carroll, Yardbarker

Looking for the latest odds on Leafs-Jackets? Click here for LIVE updates on OddsChecker!

Friday, 7 p.m. ET
Toronto Maple Leafs: -1.5 (+102) puckline, -245 moneyline, over 6.5 (+106)
@ Columbus Blue Jackets: +1.5 (-112) puckline, +210 moneyline, under 6.5  (+100)

Looking for the best sportsbook offers? Check out our FREE bets page

"Yeah, it was fun, a lot of fun. We've got a lot of gators in this locker room, so it was great to be a part of it," Marner said of the tournament held in Sunrise, Fla.

Marner also has a few tough customers in his own locker room, namely William Nylander and reigning Hart Trophy recipient Auston Matthews. Nylander has scored six of his team-leading 28 goals over the last eight games, while Matthews remains idle while dealing with a sprained knee.

Ilya Samsonov has started the last eight games for the Maple Leafs, but he'll split time with American Hockey League All-Star Joseph Woll during the home-and-home set as Matt Murray was placed on injured reserve as he continues to recover from an ankle injury.

Samsonov has turned aside 76 of 82 shots to post a 3-1-0 record with a .927 save percentage and 1.80 goals-against average in four career appearances (three starts) versus Columbus.

The Blue Jackets return to action looking to snap a three-game losing skid (0-2-1).

Offseason acquisition Johnny Gaudreau scored his team high-tying 14th goal in Columbus' 4-3 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals on Jan. 31. Gaudreau, who pulled even with Patrik Laine and captain Boone Jenner in goals scored, also leads the team in assists (35) and assists (49).

Gaudreau recorded a hat trick in the Metropolitan Division's 10-6 setback to the Atlantic Division in the All-Star Game tournament.

Columbus' Andrew Peeke has contributed five goals this season, including one against Washington, to lead the team's defensemen. He has elevated his play since being a healthy scratch on New Year's Eve and, as a result, risen in the ranks to play on the top pair with Vladislav Gavrikov.

"Sometimes it's just a couple bounces, which (the goal against the Capitals) was," Peeke said, per the Columbus Dispatch. "It hit off a stick and hit off the pants. No one's going to complain about that. I think my two previous goals were pretty good shots. It's just building confidence and trusting that you have that skillset in you."

Keeping the puck out of the net has been a persistent problem for the Blue Jackets, who have yielded an NHL third-worst 3.86 goals per game. They have allowed 60 goals in their last 16 games (4-10-2).

Elvis Merzlikins sports a rather generous 4.42 goals-against average, while Joonas Korpisalo's 3.35 GAA represents significant improvement after finishing 2021-22 with a 4.15 mark.