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Gameday #21: Journey to the land of make-beLeaf

Apr 8, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan (23) wrists a shot past Ottawa Senators goalie Anton Forsberg (31) for a goal during the third period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images

Thursday, November 20, 2025 – 7:00 PM ET
Scotiabank Arena – Toronto, Ontario
TV: FDSNOH; Radio: 93.3 FM

Columbus Blue Jackets (10-8-2, 22 points, 5th Metro, 10th East)

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Toronto Maple Leafs (9-9-2, 20 points, 7th Atlantic, 15th East)

Player to Watch

Sean Monahan

A big issue with this Blue Jackets team is the lack of a strong second scoring line. Marchenko/Voronkov are doing their job, but after that? Meh.

Monahan has been split from the Russians in favor of Adam Fantilli, which has been to Fantilli’s benefit. Monahan, however, has yet to click with a rotating cast of wingers on the second line. After a 57 point season in just 54 games last season, Monahan is sitting on 9 points through 20 games, and has zero points and a -4 rating through his last three games.

We know he has more to offer, and it’s time to see it.

The Other Bench

We’ve had our share of injuries in Columbus over the years, but Toronto is dealing with it in a big way at the moment. On the shelf includes Sammy Blais, Brandon Carlo, Matthew Knies, Scott Laughton, Auston Matthews, Nicolas Roy, Chris Tanev, and Anthony Stolarz. Yikes!

But….they’ve also been way better at home than on the road, so let’s not take anything for granted.

Season Series

10/29/25 TOR 3 @ CBJ 6
11/20/25 CBJ @ TOR
11/26/25 TOR @ CBJ

Stats

TorontoColumbus
3.50 (4)GPG2.95 (21)
3.70 (31)GAPG3.20 (22)
15.1 (28)PP%17.4 (22)
78.3 (20)PK%72.0 (28)
47.8 (24)5v5 Shot Attempt %50.7 (15)
47.4 (26)5v5 Unblocked Shot Attempt %49.8 (15)
11.7 (2)5v5 Shooting %9.3 (17)
88.5 (29)5v5 Save %91.5 (11)
John Tavares (11)G LeaderKirill Marchenko (8)
William Nylander (18)A LeaderKirill Marhenko (14)
William Nylander (27)P LeaderKirill Marchenko (22)
Jake McCabe (19)PIM LeaderMathieu Olivier (44)
8-4-2Home/Road5-5-1
4-5-1Last 104-4-2

Projected Lineups

Columbus Blue Jackets

Dmitri VoronkovAdam FantilliKirill Marchenko
Miles WoodSean MonahanKent Johnson
Cole SillingerCharlie CoyleMathieu Olivier
Zach Aston-ReeseIsac LundestromLuca Del Bel Belluz
Zach WerenskiIvan Provorov
Denton MateychukDamon Severson
Jake ChristiansenDante Fabbro
Jet Greaves
Elvis Merzlikins

Toronto Maple Leafs

Nick RobertsonJohn TavaresWilliam Nylander
Bobby McMannMax DomiEaston Cowan
Matias MaccelliJacob QuillanSammy Blais
Dakota JoshuaSteven LorentzCalle Jarnkrok
Morgan RiellyOliver Ekman-Larsson
Simon BenoitJake McCabe
Dakota MermisTroy Stecher
Joseph Woll
Dennis Hildeby

Talking Points