Toronto Maple Leafs at Columbus Blue Jackets
TV · ESPN+
TOR 2.59–3.86 CBJ
Projected TOR 2.59–3.86 CBJ · most likely 2–3
Model vs market
Gap: -4 pts of win %, -0.26 total. The projection shown above blends the model with this line.
Backtest 2023-24 to 2025-26, 3,936 games, win-probability Brier (lower is better): model v2 0.2382 vs old model 0.2430. No free archive of NHL closing lines, so we can't benchmark against the market yet. Win probability now also uses team expected goals from a shot-level model on official NHL play-by-play (distance, angle, shot type, strength): Brier 0.2381 → 0.2370 over 2023-24 to 2025-26, better in each season. Totals unchanged.
Advanced analytics
Matchup edge: TOR vs CBJ
The model
How this number was built
TOR 2.59–3.86 CBJ · Medium confidence
overline-model-v2: opponent-adjusted ratings + matchup features. Independent Poisson scorelines from shrunk attack/defense ratings, blended with the market.
- Opponent-adjusted ratings (model v2)Adj. goals -0.12 vs -0.42 · adj. shots +1.0 vs -2.5 · model CBJ 3.3–2.9 TOR
- Home field+0.2 goals to CBJ
- RecordCBJ 3-4-0 · TOR 5-4-2
- Market priorBlended 81% toward CBJ -162 / total 6.5
Player props
The DraftKings line is the starting point. A prop moves off it only with a real player rate, and only at -120 or longer.
- A. Matthews anytime goalAnytime goal · TOR+15539%
- C. Coyle anytime goalAnytime goal · CBJ+24029%
- K. Johnson anytime goalAnytime goal · CBJ+25528%
- Z. Werenski anytime goalAnytime goal · CBJ+29525%
Maple Leafs vs Blue Jackets prediction · Oct 20, 2026
The OVERLINE computer pick is Under 6.5, with a 53% model probability. The model projects Maple Leafs 2.6, Blue Jackets 3.9. Model win probability: Blue Jackets 61%, Maple Leafs 25%, draw 14%. Lines are DraftKings prices; picks lock at the start of the game and are graded off the official final.
More: NHL picks today · Graded record · Play of the Day