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Game Day #75: Playoff Hopes on Life Support as Jackets visit Toronto

Oct 22, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Kirill Marchenko (86) skates for the puck against Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (95) during the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

Saturday, April 5, 2025 – 7:00 PM ET
Scotiabank Arena – Toronto, ON
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio – Radio: 97.1FM
Opponent’s Blog: Pension Plan Puppets

Toronto Maple Leaves (46-25-4, 96 points, 1st Atlantic, 3rd East)
at
Columbus Blue Jackets (34-41-9, 77 points, 5th Metro, 10th East)

After getting two straight poor defensive and goaltending performances, letting in 11 goals in their last two games, the Blue Jackets find their playoff hopes on life support. Now four points out with two teams to pass, and both the Habs and Rangers heating up, every game is essential the rest of the way. Standing in their way is the Toronto Maple Leaves, who despite leading the Atlantic division have struggled against the Blue Jackets this year.

Position to Watch

Goaltending

Dean Evason became the last head coach to pull his goalie this year on Thursday, yanking Elvis Merzlikins after he slammed his stick on the post following Colorado’s seventh goal. The defense in front of them has been horrible, but Elvis’ .843 save percentage and 5.11 GAA in his last five starts is unplayable. The other option is Daniil Tarasov, who’s been better recently but still has .883 and 3.45 on the season. Regardless of who gets the start, they need to be better against the high-flying Maple Leaves for the Jackets to have a chance.

Jackets Notes

Not much to report at time of writing, but you have to imagine they’ll be lineup changes after the performance Thursday. … The Monsters wrecked the WBS Penguins 7-1 yesterday, which ya love to see. … The Ohio Blue Jackets AAA team is off to the U18 National Championship after beating the Long Island Gulls in overtime in their semifinal.

The Other Bench

The main story out of Toronto is the status of pending UFA Mitch Marner. Despite leading the team in points and his usual defensive excellence, the winger was asked to waive his no trade clause at the deadline. He declined, but there’s been no progress on an extension. … Toronto’s 7-2-1 in their last way, earning pole position in a stacked Atlantic Division race.

Season Series

10/22/24 – TML 2 at CBJ 6
1/22/25 – CBJ 5 at TML 1
4/5/25 – TML at CBJ

Stats

TorontoColumbus
3.25 (9)GPG3.23 (10)
2.92 (16)GAPG3.41 (27)
26.1% (5)PP%19.0% (24)
78.1% (16)PK%75.5% (24)
48.1% (26)5v5 Shot Attempt %48.6% (23)
48.5% (24)5v5 Unblocked Shot Attempt %48.9% (21)
9.3% (12)5v5 Shooting %10.3% (4)
.922 (6)5v5 Save %.904 (21)
William Nylander, 42G LeaderKirill Marchenko, 31
Mitch Marner, 69A LeaderZach Werenski, 54
Mitch Marner, 93P LeaderZach Werenski, 74
Max Domi, 67PIM LeaderMatthieu Olivier, 127
22-12-3Home/Road22-10-5
7-2-1Last 103-6-1

Projected Lineups

Columbus Blue Jackets

Dmitri VoronkovSean MonahanKirill Marchenko
Boone JennerAdam FantilliKent Johnson
Cole SillingerJustin DanforthMathieu Olivier
Zach Aston-ReeseSean KuralyLuke Kunin
Zach WerenskiDante Fabbro
Denton MateychukIvan Provorov
Jack JohnsonErik Gudbranson
Elvis Merzlikins
Daniil Tarasov

Toronto Maple Leaves

Matthew KniesAuston MatthewsMitch Marner
Bobby McMannJohn TavaresWilliam Nylander
Scott LaughtonMax DomiCalle Jarnkrok
Steven LorentzPontus HolmbergNick Robertson
Morgan RiellyBrandon Carlo
Oliver Ekman-LarssonChris Tanev
Simon BenoitPhilippe Meyers
Joseph Woll
Anthony Stolarz

Talking Points