Fun Facts About Toronto Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets Rivalry

We’re finally going to get to watch the Toronto Maple Leafs play hockey when they face the Columbus Blue Jackets in a few weeks.

Remember Toronto Maple Leafs games?

It’s a weird feeling that hockey is going to be coming back soon. Part of me is scared that the season will have to get cancelled once they get started, where the other part of me is just so excited to watch hockey in the summer.

Depending on your situation, you may be stuck in a small apartment or a mansion, but either way, if you’re a Leafs fan, watching your team again will feel like you won the lottery.

The thought of being in a backyard in the middle of summer with the TV playing a live Toronto Maple Leafs game is going to be unbelievable. Obviously, we’re all still living in a pandemic and the world is a weird place right now, but the Stanley Cup playoffs will bring a sense of normalcy.

Fun Facts About the Maple Leafs & Blue Jackets Rivalry

On August 2nd at a time TBD, the Leafs will face their long-time rival Columbus Blue Jackets in a Best of Five Series.

Okay, they’re not actually a long-time rival at all, but I’ll do anything to pump this series up as if it’s the 1972 Summit Series between Canada and the Soviet Union.

#1. Toronto vs. Columbus Record

The Blue Jackets are currently in their 19th season so the Leafs and Jackets have only faced off against each other 30 times.

Overall, the Leafs are 14-11-3-1-1 against Columbus in their history. If you’re confused with the extra column, it’s 14 wins, 11 regulation losses, three overtime losses, one shootout loss and one tie.

#2. Leafs lose Game 82 to Columbus on April 9, 2017

Okay, so why is this game so meaningful?

Well, first off the Leafs had a 2-0 lead in the second period and blew it to lose 3-2 against Columbus in their regular season finale.

Having just clinched their first playoff berth in an 82-game season since 2004 the night before, if the Leafs won this game they would have faced the Ottawa Senators instead of the Washington Capitals in the first round.

Although the Leafs played Washington tight with five of the six games going to overtime, the “Battle of Ontario” would have been an easier test for the Leafs and would have rejuvenated a rivalry that hasn’t faced off against each other in the playoffs since the early 2000s.

#3. Blockbuster Trade Between Columbus and Toronto

Toronto should almost intentionally lose to Columbus as a ‘thank-you’ for allowing them to trade David Clarkson for Nathan Horton a few years ago.

After one of the worst debuts in Leafs history, Columbus took on Clarkson’s contract with five years still remaining in it. Although the Leafs received a player that would never play in the NHL again, the Leafs have an unlimited bankroll so it didn’t matter.

The fact that they were able to get rid of $5.25 million in cap-space for the next five seasons was crucial to the rebuild of the franchise.

#4. Marner Scored One of His Career Best against Columbus

It’s only fitting to show this goal if we’re talking about Columbus and the Maple Leafs.

Although the Leafs lost this game in a non-meaningful game in the middle of the regular season, it’s worth sharing and shows the world-class skill of Mitch Marner.

Let’s hope that Marner can do this again when the Leafs face the Blue Jackets on August 2nd.