Adam Fantilli scored three goals for his first career hat trick, Elvis Merzlikins stopped 28 shots, and the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-1.

Analyzing Wednesday’s Columbus Blue Jackets at Toronto Maple Leafs odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Leafs looked like the better team for most of the game, but couldn't solve Columbus goalie Elvis Merzlikins.

Fantilli's 'hattie' near his hometown led the Blue Jackets to victory over the Maple Leafs and cost his mom her hat: 4 takeaways.

Fantilli's first NHL hat trick, two-point game for Del Belluz and a big night from Merzlikins in net help Blue Jackets stun the Maple Leafs.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are playing incredible hockey in the 2024-25 season. The Maple Leafs had struggled a bit, but have since rattled off three straight wins. Unfortunately, it appears the team is on track to lose Wednesday night to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Blue Jackets went up 1-0 at 15:40 when Fantilli scored a short-handed goal, shooting over Hildeby’s blocker from just inside the left face-off circle. Toronto went 0-for-3 on the power play ...

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The Toronto Maple Leafs made some crucial roster moves ahead of their game against the Minnesota Wild, activating Max Pacioretty and moving Matthew Knies to the IR.

The Blue Jackets blew the Leafs out of NWA on October 22 by a score of 6-2, so I would expect Toronto to try to return the favor against Columbus tonight ... to beating the Maple Leafs.

But Knies and linemates Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner were already in a frustrated state as the Jackets ended the Leafs’ three-game win streak. Columbus, making an improbable run at a wild-card playoff spot, are only the second Eastern Conference team to beat the Atlantic Division leading Leafs twice, by a combined 11-3 score.

Auston Matthews has had a ton of success against Columbus in his career, and our Maple Leafs vs. Blue Jackets predictions expect that to continue tonight.