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Third-period explosion sends Jackets over Leafs

Oct 26, 2013 - 2:56 AM Columbus, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - Marian Gaborik netted the go-ahead score in a four-goal third period, as Columbus took down Toronto, 5-2, at Nationwide Arena.

Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Johansen and Nick Foligno also hit the back of the net in the crucial frame for the Blue Jackets, who have won three in a row for the first time in the young season.

"We're back to .500 and now we have to start climbing the standings. This is big for us," said Dubinsky.

Ryan Murray added his first career goal and Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 23 shots for the victory, as Columbus beat Toronto on home ice for the first time in more than 10 years.

The Jackets had lost three in a row in Ohio's capital against their Friday foes since a 4-3 overtime decision on March 20, 2003.

Phil Kessel and Dave Bolland tallied for the Maple Leafs, who have dropped three of four. Jonathan Bernier allowed four scores on 35 shots.

David Clarkson made his long-awaited season debut after missing the club's first 10 games while serving a suspension for leaving the bench in an exhibition game against the Sabres. He was a minus-1 with four shots on net in 15:10 of ice time.

"We're not asking him to do anything other than to play a solid game," said Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle. "Working hard, banging and crashing the boards, that's his game and we'll expect that 10 games from now."

Gaborik stuffed a shot home from the left post with 3:12 played in the third to give the hosts a one-goal edge. Foligno did most of the work, battling a Leafs defender and gaining control of the puck behind Bernier before dishing back over the goal line.

Dubinsky provided an insurance tally at 12:27, wristing one home from the right side off a 2-on-1 short-handed break, but Bolland pulled the visitors to within 3-2 with 4 1/2 minutes remaining.

Bernier was called to the bench for an extra skater in the final minute, and the Jackets pumped home two more scores, one from Johansen into the empty net with 27 seconds left and Foligno's marker with seven seconds to play.

"Toronto's a good team and they're playing well, but tonight we played a little better. It says a lot about our team," Foligno noted.

Columbus hit the scoreboard with 4:55 gone in the opening period, as Murray flicked home a rebound at the right side of the crease with the hosts on the power play.

Kessel opened the second period by tying the game after 40 seconds elapsed. He was left alone on the left side to tip home a pass from Tyler Bozak, who successfully drew Bobrovsky to the opposite post before making his feed.

Game Notes

Despite the loss, Toronto is 6-2-2 with one tie in 11 all-time meetings with Columbus ... Toronto forward Joffrey Lupul was out of the lineup with a bruised foot suffered in Thursday's practice ... Defenseman Fedor Tyutin picked up two assists for Columbus.