Bo Horvat scored twice in the second period Monday night for the host New York Islanders, who beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1 in Elmont, N.Y.

Noah Dobson had just starting heating up for the Islanders, but the defenseman is out indefinitely after suffering a lower-body injury.

Mat Barzal of the Islanders will likely have some explaining to do after a camera caught him on the bench possibly bashing his fans in the arena. The New York Islanders defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1 last night at UBS Arena in Elmont,

NEW YORK (AP) — Bo Horvat scored twice in New York's three-goal second period, and the Islanders beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1 on Monday night. Simon Holmstrom also scored and Mathew Barzal had two assists as the Islanders won their second straight and fifth in seven games. Ilya Sorokin made 25 saves.

This was the sort of effort which, if the Islanders could replicate it consistently, makes them look like a playoff contender.

Jason Newland is the Site Editor and Reporter for the Columbus Blue Jackets team site with The Hockey News. A resident of Columbus, Jason has spent 10 years writing about the Blue Jackets and in his spare time hangs with his son Trevor, plays softball, and watches all sports. You can follow him at @F1reTheCannon.

Ahead of their Metropolitan Division showdown vs. the New York Islanders, the Blue Jackets arrived in Ohio State football jerseys. Here's more:

This affiliate content is not influenced by our advertising relationships, but AP and Data Skrive might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content.

The Blue Jackets continue a four-game road trip as they visit Long Island tonight to play the last-place Islanders. The Blue Jackets did something against the Rangers that they've only done one other time this entire season - Failed to score a goal.

This is a team coming out of its rebuild and into its build phase. It has the potential to contend as it matures and as the roster is further tweaked.

The loss marked a crushing end to the Sharks’ five-game road trip, which began with an encouraging win over the Detroit Red Wings last Tuesday and was quickly followed by losses to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the New York Islanders, and the Boston Bruins.