The Dallas Stars (28-13-9) head to Nationwide Arena tonight, Thursday, January 22, 2026, to face the Columbus Blue Jackets (22-20-7).
The Stars are looking to avenge an early-season loss to Columbus and build momentum following a dominant 6-2 win over the Bruins. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets are trying to bounce back from a “groggy” performance against Ottawa that snapped their four-game winning streak.
Game Essentials
- Time: 7:00 PM EST
- Location: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
- TV/Stream: ESPN+, FanDuel Sports Network
- Odds: Stars (-125) / Blue Jackets (+105) | O/U: 6.5
Key Storylines & Form
Dallas Stars: Offensive Juggernaut
The Stars currently rank 6th in the NHL in scoring (166 goals). Their power play is lethal, operating at 29.2%, which could be the deciding factor against a Columbus team that has struggled on the penalty kill at times this season.
- Jason Robertson is red-hot, coming off a two-goal game against Boston. He has 13 points in 14 career games against Columbus.
- Mikko Rantanen (63 points) is officially day-to-day with an illness, making him a major “game-time decision” to watch.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Playoff Push
Sitting 7th in the Metro with 51 points, the Jackets are in “must-win” mode to stay in the postseason conversation. They are at the start of a critical five-game homestand.
- Elvis Merzlikins left Tuesday’s game with an illness; his availability is uncertain. If he can’t go, Jet Greaves will likely get the start.
- Kirill Marchenko (18 goals) and young star Adam Fantilli lead a top line that has been productive during their recent 5-4-1 stretch.
Head-to-Head & Matchup Comparison
| Metric | Dallas Stars | Columbus Blue Jackets |
| Record | 28-13-9 (65 pts) | 22-20-7 (51 pts) |
| Last 10 Games | 3-5-2 | 5-4-1 |
| Goals Per Game | 3.32 | 2.76 |
| Power Play % | 29.2% | 19.5% |
| Goaltender (Proj) | Jake Oettinger (.902 SV%) | Jet Greaves (.908 SV%) |
Injury Report
- Dallas: Mikko Rantanen (Illness – Day-to-Day), Tyler Seguin (Out – ACL), Lian Bichsel (Out – Lower Body).
- Columbus: Elvis Merzlikins (Illness – Day-to-Day), Dante Fabbro (Out – Lower Body), Mason Marchment (Out – Upper Body), Miles Wood (Out – Leg)
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