The Columbus Blue Jackets are back at home for the second game of a five-game homestand, facing off against the Dallas Stars at 7 p.m. The Stars hold a record of 28-13-9 with 65 points and currently sit second in the Central Division with a 3-5-2 record in their last ten games. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets have a 22-20-7 record, earning 51 points, holding 7th place in the Metropolitan Division, with a recent 5-4-1 performance over their last ten games.
Columbus ended a four-game winning streak, including a home streak of 3-0-1, after a 4-1 loss to Ottawa on Tuesday. They are in the midst of a season-long homestand that runs from January 13-28, playing seven of eight games at Nationwide Arena. The Jackets have been strong at scoring first, leading the NHL with first points in 28 games this season. They stand out defensively, ranking fourth in the NHL with notable contributions from defensemen. On the power play, Columbus has converted five of 14 opportunities in recent games and ranks third in the league for power play percentage. Their team save percentage has improved, sitting 10th in the NHL since late December.
Key players include Charlie Coyle, set to play in his 1,000th NHL game on Thursday, becoming one of the few to reach this milestone with the Blue Jackets. Goalie Jett Greaves has been solid with a 2.54 GAA and .915 save percentage, ranking among the NHL’s best in saves and efficiency since late December. Boone Jenner has been contributing assists consistently, tying for third all-time in assists for the club. Kirill Marchenko and Mathieu Olivier have made notable impacts recently, particularly in hits and points earned during fights. Zach Werenski leads the team’s defensemen in goals and points, maintaining a strong presence on the ice.
Statistically, the Blue Jackets rank 20th in power play efficiency (19.5%), 28th in penalty kill (75.4%), 21st in goals scored (144), and 26th in goals allowed (163). The Stars are performing better in these areas, with a 29.2% power play (2nd in NHL), 79.6% penalty kill (15th), 166 goals scored (6th), and 138 goals against (6th).
In head-to-head history, Columbus has a slightly losing record against Dallas but has been strong on home ice recently, winning 11 of their last 17 encounters. The Blue Jackets also bested the Stars 5-1 back in October.
Noteworthy Dallas players include Jason Robertson, the team’s leading goal scorer with 29 goals, and Mikko Rantanen, who leads with 44 assists and 63 points, including 15 points in 14 games against Columbus. Goalie Jake Oettinger has a solid record with an .902 save percentage.
Injuries affect Columbus, with Brendan Smith out for the season due to a lower body injury, and Miles Wood and Denton Matejczuk also sidelined.
Tonight’s game will be broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network with commentary by Steve Mears. Radio coverage is on 97.1 Fan featuring Bob McElligott.
Fan Take: This matchup highlights the resilience and competitive spirit of the Blue Jackets as they face a strong Stars team amid a critical homestand. For hockey fans, it underscores the importance of depth, special teams, and veteran leadership in shaping a team’s playoff aspirations and the overall excitement in the NHL this season.
