Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets Prepare for Crucial Matchup

The Toronto Maple Leafs, who have clinched a playoff spot, are preparing to face the Columbus Blue Jackets, a team struggling to keep their playoff hopes alive after a significant 7-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. This loss left the Blue Jackets four points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot. Columbus aims to recover with a crucial back-to-back against the Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators. The Leafs are without key players Jake McCabe and David Kampf but have been buoyed by strong performances from John Tavares and goalie Anthony Stolarz. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets’ Boone Jenner continues his scoring streak, but the team needs more consistency to close the gap in the standings. Both teams are navigating the pressures of securing important points as the season winds down.