The Dallas Stars and the Columbus Blue Jackets are set to square off at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, for an intriguing matchup that brings together two teams heading in different directions as the early portion of the NHL regular season unfolds. The contest, scheduled for Thursday evening at 7 p.m. ET, will be broadcast and streamed live on ESPN+, giving hockey fans across the country a chance to tune into a developing conference clash.
The Stars head into Ohio carrying a 9-5-1 record, fresh off a hard-fought 6-5 victory against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena in the nation’s capital. Playing as slight underdogs at -102, Dallas managed to outgun the Capitals in a high-scoring affair that comfortably pushed the total over the 5.5-goal line. That triumph allowed the Stars to string together back-to-back wins, steadying the ship after they suffered consecutive home losses between October 27 and October 29 against the New Jersey Devils and the Montreal Canadiens. Recent trends suggest that Dallas games have increasingly leaned toward offensive fireworks, with the Over cashing in four of their last five outings.
Thursday’s matchup marks the second time these two teams will face each other in a remarkably short span. Just days prior on Halloween, the Stars hosted the Blue Jackets in the Metroplex and secured a solid 3-1 victory. In that contest, Dallas justified their status as -185 favorites by covering the puck line while the Under (5.5) successfully cashed. Forward Mikko Rantanen opened the scoring for the Stars with a power-play marker, setting the tone for the evening, while defenseman Thomas Harley was ultimately credited with the game-winning goal. On the other side, Columbus defenseman Damon Severson accounted for the Blue Jackets’ lone lamp lighting of the night, managing to beat the stout Dallas defense but failing to spark a broader comeback.
For the Blue Jackets, the overall record sits at a modest 6-7-0, and they have struggled to find consistency lately with a 4-6-0 mark over their last ten games. However, Columbus demonstrated their capability to rise to the occasion and prove their doubters wrong during their most recent outing on Tuesday. In that game, they pulled off a stunning 7-2 victory as short underdogs (+105) against the powerhouse Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche appeared noticeably fatigued, failing to find their rhythm while playing on the second leg of a back-to-back set, and the Blue Jackets ruthlessly capitalized on the opportunity.
That seven-goal outburst was a stark statistical anomaly for a Columbus squad that has otherwise struggled heavily to put the puck in the net. Prior to their offensive explosion against Colorado, the Blue Jackets had managed to light the lamp just 23 times over their previous 11 games, translating to a meager 2.1 goals per game. Paradoxically, while their offense has sputtered for much of the season, their defensive structure has shown notable stretches of resilience. Columbus has managed to hold opponents to three or fewer goals in five consecutive games and in seven of their past eight contests, showing that they can keep games close even when the offense goes quiet.
A deeper look at the season-long statistics highlights the offensive challenges both teams have faced. The Blue Jackets are averaging 2.7 goals per game, which places them 27th overall in the league, and they rank 25th with 25.5 shots on goal per contest. Their power-play unit has also struggled to generate consistent momentum, operating at just a 17.1% success rate. On the defensive side of the puck, Columbus surrenders 3.2 goals per game, placing them squarely in the middle of the NHL pack, while allowing 27.2 shots against per game to rank 15th. Their penalty kill has been a distinct vulnerability, successfully neutralizing opponent power plays at just a 72.5% clip, which places them 24th in the league standings.
Similarly, the Dallas Stars have experienced their own offensive hurdles early in the campaign. The Stars currently rank 26th in the NHL with 2.6 goals per game and sit 24th with 25.6 shots on goal per contest. Their power play operates at a respectable, if unspectacular, 21.9% efficiency. However, where Dallas truly excels and builds its identity is on the defensive side of the ice. The Stars boast the top-ranked defense in the entire National Hockey League, surrendering a stingy 2.1 goals per game and allowing a league-low 22.3 shots on goal. Complementing that stifling team defense is a historically dominant penalty-killing unit that enters Thursday operating at a staggering 93.6% success rate.
A major catalyst for the defensive dominance in Dallas has been the stellar play of goaltender Jake Oettinger. The Lakeville, Minnesota native is expected to get the nod in net for the Stars, carrying an impressive 8-3-1 record alongside a sparkling 1.90 goals-against average, a .909 save percentage, and three shutouts. Oettinger has been particularly lethal when playing away from home this season. In his four road starts, he has posted a pristine 3-0-1 record, backed by a remarkable 1.48 goals-against average, a .934 save percentage, and two shutouts.
Conversely, the Blue Jackets are expected to counter with veteran journeyman Cam Talbot. Talbot has put together a solid campaign between the pipes for Columbus, holding a 4-2-0 record with a 2.70 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage, providing steady veteran presence as the team navigates its early-season schedule.
With Oettinger guarding the crease in stellar form and the Dallas defense tightening the screws against opponents, expectations lean heavily toward a low-scoring, structured affair. Bettors looking at the odds find value in backing the Stars on the moneyline at -130, while the total offers an enticing angle with the Under set at 5.5 (-105), particularly given Oettinger’s demonstrated potential to lock down opposing offenses and challenge for a clean sheet.