Blue Jackets To Get Huge Boost Against Leafs In First Round Series.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to play the Columbus Blue Jackets to open up this new 24 team playoff format. It'll be a breath of fresh air to start the playoffs against somebody else than the Boston Bruins for once.If this matchup would have happened in April like a regular first round series, the Leafs' would have likely dominated however much has changed since then and it'll be a tough matchup. The Blue Jackets have had two months to rest and heal up which means Seth Jones, Oliver Bkjorkstrand, Cam Atkinson and Josh Anderson will all be ready to return to the lineup. None of them would have played if this series took place in April. Columbus loves being the underdog and they'll assume that role once again bringing the league's fourth best defense into the series along with a penalty kill that finished in the top half of the league. The Leafs of course have a much better offense. It'll be an interesting matchup as rookie coach Sheldon Keefe goes up against seasoned vet John Tortorella.