Rough night for Rielly and Leafs D, Atkinson on a tear

Turnovers and loose play in the defensive zone spoiled some solid play in the offensive end for the Leafs, who arguably played well enough to get a least a point out of this one — but lost 4-2 to the Blue Jackets in Columbus. Ron Hainsey and Kasperi Kapanen scored to tie the game 2-2 for the Leafs, but Columbus responded with two unanswered goals, including a short-hander from Cam Atkinson, to avenge a 4-2 loss in Toronto on Monday. Offensive stars: Frederik Gauthier — yes, Frederik Gauthier — was dangerous with two close-in chances in the first period. Not a great night offensively for the Leafs when Gauthier is one of your stars … Kapanen scored a gift goal that trickled under Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky’s arm. They all count, and Kapanen, who had eight goals in his first 57 NHL games, now has 10 goals in his last 21 … Atkinson is on a sixgame goal streak (eight over that span).

Defensive stars: Bobrovsky was sharp for the bulk of the night, especially in the first period when Toronto had a 12-8 edge in shots and a 25-16 advantage in attempts … Nikita Zaitsev has committed turnovers, especially against Columbus, but he leads the Leafs in blocked shots and physical play. He was solid in a lot of areas.

Turning point: Atkinson’s shorty hurt, but Markus Hannikainen’s insurance goal for the Jackets early in the third period doused any hope for the Leafs.

Takeaways: The Leafs’ second-period power play, when Atkinson scored short-handed, might have been their worst of the season … Leafs defenceman Igor Ozhiganov picked up an assist for his first NHL point, a nice moment for the rookie blue-liner … Not a great night for Leaf John Tavares, who took a pair of second-period penalties (one questionable) and was beaten with a deke by Atkinson on the short-hander … Leaf Morgan Rielly had a rough first period. He was on the ice for both Columbus goals (three overall) and committed the turnover that led to Anderson’s first marker. Talking point: Anderson’s line with Nick Foligno and Boone Jenner — all over six feet and 200 pounds — generated plenty of scoring chances. The Leafs couldn’t handle them physically.

Up next: The Leafs are home to Philadelphia on Saturday night, James van Riemsdyk’s first game back since signing with the Flyers in the off-season.