Leafs, Jackets both strong on defence

The Toronto Maple Leafs hit the road with the Christmas break in the rear-view mirror, heading to Ohio for a battle with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Both games in this series to date — played four days apart in late November — featured star turns by winger Josh Anderson and goaltender Frederik Andersen, who each earned first star of the game.

NHL win leader Andersen had an extra day’s rest, not starting Toronto’s last preChristmas game, though it was two goals by Anderson setting the pace for the Jackets in the home-and-home finale. Andersen has a career record of 5-2-0-2 against the Jackets.

Here are 5 Things to Watch for when the Blue Jackets host the Maple Leafs on Friday:

1 CHRISTMAS LEFTOVERS

Both teams were hot going into the holidays — four wins for the Leafs, four of five for Columbus, though it had to play Thursday on the road against the Rangers. With the end of Boxing Day games (very tough after two days without practice) and the arrival of

Mike Babcock as coach, Toronto is 3-0 in its first post-yuletide test, all road victories.

2 ATTACK FROM THE BACK

The Jackets will have to watch league defence scoring leader Morgan Rielly, but their blue-line featured five guys in double figures before Thursday, who ranked among the Jackets’ top 13 point men overall. Those rearguards have been poison to the Leafs the past few years.

3 WHAT ABOUT BOB?

Sergei Bobrovsky was scheduled to have Thursday off, then come home and seek his

11th win over Toronto in 15 decisions and perhaps improve on a .927 save percentage versus the Leafs.

4 MOORE POWER TO YA

Babcock’s practice indicated he’s hoping to use Marlie call-up Trevor Moore on the power play in Columbus, though the Leafs spent most of the Detroit game last Sunday labouring on the penalty kill.

5 TIP OF THE KAP

With his first goal Sunday, Kasperi Kapanen joined John Tavares with five game-opening goals for Toronto. He also had the overtime winner to reach 14, as he approaches a career high 19 goals combined with the Marlies and Leafs.