right-hander dropped his fourth straight decision in Los

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Maybe it was finally a sign of better things to come for slow-starting Columbus and youngster Ryan Johansen. A big centre with all the tools to be an elite player, Johansen paced the Blue Jackets with a standout game Saturday night. He had a goal and two assists for a career-high three points as Columbus beat the New York Islanders 5-2 to snap a five-game losing streak. "Its a good feeling," Johansen said. "Were a little behind now. Weve just got to look at the good things here and move forward." The Blue Jackets entered 5-10 and only three points from the NHL cellar. But the offence came to life, tying a season high for goals. Brandon Dubinsky had a goal and two assists, matching his career best for points. Cam Atkinson and R.J. Umberger also scored for the Blue Jackets, who pulled away with three goals in the third period. James Wisniewski added an empty-net goal and an assist. Asked what was different about the third period, Columbus coach Todd Richards said his team just stayed the course. "I think we continued to play our game, which was the positive thing," he said. "We capitalized on our opportunities. A big power-play goal gave our team some confidence." The line of Dubinsky, Johansen and Atkinson led the way with seven points to end Columbus longest skid in two years. "I think we were just working off each other, getting in on the forecheck hard," Atkinson said. "As soon as we did that it seemed like they were turning the pucks over and we capitalized on our opportunities." Last seasons Vezina Trophy winner, Sergei Bobrovsky, who had struggled of late, played his second consecutive strong game. He made 24 saves and punctuated his performance with an assist on Wisniewskis goal. The Blue Jackets went 2 for 4 on the power play and now hit the road for seven of their next eight games, including a long-distance swing through Western Canada. "If it were to have gone the other way tonight it would be tough going into Washington and Boston on the road," Johansen said. "Now we have some momentum." Frans Nielsen and Thomas Hickey scored for the Islanders, handed their third loss in a row. New York has only two wins in its last seven games. Islanders coach Jack Capuano said there were some things he liked, and a lot he didnt. "Theyve got to figure it out," he said of his players. "Were not talking systems and structure. Were talking battle. We lost a battle on Atkinsons goal. We took a hit. Its a game of physicality and we responded the wrong way." To make matters worse, with Brian Strait, Lubomir Visnovsky and Cal Clutterbuck already out of action, Thomas Vanek sustained an upper-body injury on his first shift and played only 23 seconds in his sixth game since being acquired from Buffalo. New York had one power play and has not scored a man-advantage goal in seven games, going 0 for 22. Evgeni Nabokov struggled controlling rebounds as the game went along. He stopped 24 of 28 shots and has allowed 17 goals in his last four games. With the score tied at 2, Travis Hamonic was whistled for slashing 15 seconds into the third period and Umberger scored his third goal 12 seconds later, redirecting Wisniewskis point shot. "Our penalty kill let us down again," Capuano said. Atkinson followed at 3:24 with his fourth, shovelling Johansens rebound over Nabokov, positioned too deep in his net. The two-goal cushion and mini offensive outburst for Columbus was a long time coming. Early in the second period, the Blue Jackets finally broke a 17-minute stretch without a shot on goal. Johansen soon followed with his fifth goal, scoring on a breakaway at 9:27 to make it 2-1 and give Columbus its first lead in about 310 minutes spanning six games. Johansen blocked Hickeys point shot and took off toward the Islanders net, with Dubinsky hitting him in stride. Johansen roofed a shot over Nabokovs glove. "I thought everybody was on the same page right from the start," Johansen said. "We were all working together." The lead only lasted 4 minutes, though. Hickey redeemed himself with his first goal of the season as the teams played four aside. He ripped a long-range shot that redirected off Johansens stick and past Bobrovsky. Columbus was outshot 9-2 in the first period despite having two power plays. But late in the first man advantage, Dubinsky flicked a backhander from the slot through traffic. The puck hit the left post, with the rebound bouncing off Nabokov and in at 6:25 for Dubinskys fourth. Nielsen scored his team-leading ninth to draw the Islanders even with 35 seconds left in the period. On the counter attack, Nielsen skated the distance along the right wing, cut to the high slot and ripped a shot that squeezed through Bobrovsky. "We just wanted to manage those grey areas," Johansen said. "A fast team like the Islanders, youve got to make sure youre managing the puck well." NOTES: The Blue Jackets are 11-1-4 all-time against the Islanders, including 7-0-2 at home. ... RW Marian Gaborik, without a goal in his last six games, hit the post early in the second period with Columbus on a power play. ... Hamonic played his 200th NHL game. Paul Hornung Youth Jersey .ca presents a week long look at some of the teams and stories that will shape the up coming campaign. Dexter Williams Womens Jersey . The team let Keaton Ellerby, James Wright and Matt Halischuk become unrestricted free agents after declining to make them qualifying offers. Ellerby, 25, appeared in 51 games for the Jets last season and had two goals and four assists. http://www.packersrookiestore.com/Packers-Bart-Starr-Jersey/ .com) - NFL owners have unanimously approved the sale of the Buffalo Bills. Clay Matthews Womens Jersey . At this point, even he isnt sure when it is going to stop. The right-hander dropped his fourth straight decision in Los Angeles 6-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night, leaving his status very much in doubt as the Dodgers prepare for the stretch drive. Dexter Williams Youth Jersey .J. Hardy to avoid a three-game sweep after blowing a big early lead. Odour had a leadoff single in the seventh and scored the tiebreaking run with the help of two errors by Hardy as the Rangers went on to beat the Orioles 8-6 on Thursday night.HOUSTON -- Veteran infielder Cesar Izturis is among the 24 non-roster players the Houston Astros have invited to major league spring training. Izturis was an All-Star in 2005. He hit .209 in with 11 RBIs in 63 games for Cincinnati last season. Other free agent invitees are outfielder Adron Chambers,, right-hander Peter Moylan and infielder Gregorio Petit.dddddddddddd Among the Houston minor leaguers invited to camp are 2012 top overall pick shortstop Carlos Correa, who is considered Houstons top prospect, and right-hander Mark Appel, the overall No. 1 pick last summer. ' ' '