PREVIEW: Blue Jackets, Stars meet again in Nationwide Arena

BLUE JACKETS (11-13-5) vs. STARS (8-9-6)

The Stars were up to the challenge a week ago, earning a 5-0 victory over Columbus last Saturday in the Metroplex. Just like that game eight days ago, the Blue Jackets enter having some momentum with points in two straight, but big picture things like that aren't necessarily on the mind of the Jackets going into this evening's tilt.
Yes, the Jackets know they need to find some wins, but it's also just about playing better as each game goes on.
"I think you don't really focus on stringing wins together," forward Max Domi said. "Right now with where we're at, you have to take it game by game. You can't really look too big right now. Don't get me wrong, we want to string wins together, but if you think that way it's a lot tougher to do so.
"The best way to look at it is each period is a new game. You have to win each period and win each shift, really. That's where we're at. We do that, we give ourselves the best chance to win and take it win by win and go from there."
At the same time, though, Domi looks at how the Blue Jackets came together to win Saturday's back-and-forth tilt and sees things the team can carry into the Sunday rematch.
"A win is a win," he said. "That's what this is all about. We play this game to win hockey games, and you build confidence with winning, you have fun with winning, you smile with winning. That's why we play hockey. No one wants to lose, so that's all positives tonight, and that's what makes hockey fun. That was a huge two points tonight. We'll get ready to go for tomorrow and hopefully do the same thing."
Added head coach John Tortorella: "We're going to take the win and we get back it right away tomorrow at 5 again and see if we can find a way to get a little better each and every period and find a way to get another win."
Know the Foe
Sunday's game vs. Dallas will be the fourth in the last 11 days between the two teams, with Columbus winning two of three thus far.
The Stars have found injuries, COVID issues and more hard to overcome this year, as last year's Stanley Cup finalists are still looking to find their game. A 5-1-1 start has been followed by a 3-8-5 stretch that has left the team seventh in points and sixth in points percentage in the Central Division.
After a 10-game stretch that included just 18 goals, the Stars have found their offense a bit again with 19 tallies in the last five games, boosting the team to 18th in the NHL with 2.91 goals per game. The power play is 11th at 24.4 percent, and defensively the 2.61 goals allowed per game is ninth in the league. But the offense has almost been all or nothing, with five games of five-plus goals this year, but zero games of four goals and nine contests with two or fewer tallies.
Veteran Joe Pavelski leads the way with 13 goals and 24 points, and much like Patrick Kane, he's been a CBJ killer this year with a 3-4-7 line this season in five games against the Blue Jackets. His 10 power-play goals lead the NHL this season.
Defenseman John Klingberg is next on the squad with a 5-12-17 line, while Roope Hintz has seven goals and 15 points in 16 games but missed Saturday's game with a lower-body injury. Denis Gurianov (5-9-14) is next on the team in scoring after a goal Saturday, while captain Jamie Benn (4-9), Jason Robertson (4-9) and Miro Heiskanen (2-11) each have 13 points. Alexander Radulov could return from a lower-body injury today after being activated Sunday; he had a 3-8-11 line in the first eight games before hitting IR.
In net, Anton Khudobin is 5-8-1 in 14 starts, posting a 2.65 GAA and .907 save percentage. Jake Oettinger has two wins and an OT loss vs. Columbus in his rookie season, going 3-1-5 overall with a 2.22 GAA and .911 save percentage.
3 Keys to the Game
Ride the wave: Columbus won in overtime for just the second time this year in eight tries Saturday. Can that be a momentum boost going into the quick turnaround Sunday?
60 minutes: If it's Sunday, it's time for 60 minutes. The Blue Jackets are still looking for a complete game; maybe it's time.
Going streaking: As you look below, a number of Blue Jackets players are riding offensive waves. That confidence can be contagious, but it would be nice to see them keep it going.
Of Note
Cam Atkinson scored in his 600th career game Saturday, giving him a 10-7-17 line in his last 18 games. His four shorthanded goals lead the NHL this season. … Domi has a 2-2-4 line in the last two games with a goal and an assist in each, while Oliver Bjorkstrand has a three-game point streak (3-2-5). … Forward Jack Roslovic (three assists) and defenseman Zach Werenski (game-winning goal, assist) are coming off multipoint games. … Bjorkstrand (10-13-23) has taken over sole possession of first place on the CBJ team in points. ... Domi's streak of 296 consecutive games played is the seventh-longest active streak in the league. … Vladislav Gavrikov is three games from 100 in his NHL career. … Patrik Laine has notched 19-7-26 in 22 career contests against the Stars. … Columbus has outscored teams 27-18 in the first period and have scored first in an NHL-best 20 of 29 games, but the Jackets are just 9-6-5 when taking a 1-0 lead. … Columbus has six points in five games this year vs. Dallas, and today's game completes the season series in Columbus. The Blue Jackets are 9-2-1 in Columbus vs. the Stars dating back to the 2012-13 season.
Projected Lineup
(Subject to change)
Patrik Laine - Riley Nash - Oliver Bjokstrand
Max Domi - Jack Roslovic - Cam Atkinson
Nick Foligno - Alexandre Texier - Kevin Stenlund
Eric Robinson - Boone Jenner - Emil Bemstrom
Zach Werenski - Seth Jones
Vladislav Gavrikov - David Savard
Dean Kukan - Michael Del Zotto
Joonas Korpisalo (confirmed starter)
Elvis Merzlikins
Scratches: Mikhail Grigorenko, Gabriel Carlsson, Scott Harrington
Taxi squad:Zac Dalpe, Ryan MacInnis, Stefan Matteau, Cam Johnson
Injured reserve:Gus Nyquist (shoulder, out 5-6 months as of November), Brandon Dubinsky (wrist, LTIR)
Roster report: No changes are expected to the 18-skater lineup, while Korpisalo will go in goal.