The Jackets have enjoyed a two-day break, but you’d be hard-pressed to find many backing them here in the midst of a four-game skid.
The Panthers come in off their own three-day spell leading into a busy weekend, and they should be eager to get back to business after dropping a pair of games on the road in Montreal and New York (Long Island) earlier in the week.
Columbus backs up quickly on Saturday against the Pens in Pittsburgh, so all things considered, this is a good spot to bet the defending champs.
The Leafs are one of two teams playing the second half of a back-to-back after hosting the Avs last night.
Getting the puck on net remains a huge challenge for Craig Berube’s side, and with recent losses to Florida highlighting their defensive concerns, it’s becoming clear that the Leafs aren’t on the same page as some of the top-level teams in the East.
The Rangers aren’t either, but this is still a rough travel spot on short rest for a team that has gone 5-5 in this spot over its last 10 games.
The goals have been flowing for these two sides of late – the Canucks winning 6-2 on Wednesday over the Jets, and the Blues putting up four in Nashville.
Both sides have played four games over the last six days, so the Over feels worthwhile with the line set as low as 5.5.