Preview: Stars aim to make it three straight wins at Columbus

Dallas Stars at Columbus Blue Jackets

About the Stars

The Stars (26-17-3) made it 2-for-2 on their current road trip, defeating the Detroit Red Wings, 4-2, at Little Caesars Arena Tuesday night. Jason Spezza, who had been a healthy scratch in the previous game, scored two power-play goals, including the game-winner, and Radek Faksa and Martin Hanzal also scored for the Stars.
"We won the game because of the second-wave players," Stars coach Ken Hitchcock said. "The things we've been harping on for a month now, we got in the last two games. Big plays by second-tier players, and that's exactly what we need if we're going to win. If we expect to be a playoff team, that's the next step."
The Stars are 7-3-1 in their last 11 road games and 8-3-0 in their last 11 games overall. They are in the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference, two points out of third place in the Central Division and four points behind first-place Winnipeg.
Defenseman Dillon Heatherington will make his NHL debut Thursday. The Stars acquired him from Columbus at last season's trade deadline for forward Lauri Korpikoski.
"His first game. He's excited. We're excited," Hitchcock said.
Ben Bishop will start in goal Thursday.
Thursday's game is the third of a four-game road trip for Dallas.
Injuries:Marc Methot (knee).

About the Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets (25-18-3) are coming off their bye week. The Blue Jackets, who entered the break with back-to-back regulation losses, are 3-5-1 in their last nine games and sit in third place in the Metropolitan Division.
Columbus, which is dealing with injury issues at forward, claimed veteran forward Jussi Jokinen off waivers from Los Angeles on Wednesday.
"We're doing this to get a guy who can step into our lineup right now," Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen told the Blue Jackets official website. "We need players. We know very well he's had a great career, and he can help us."
Jokinen is expected to be available for Thursday's game against the Stars.
The Blue Jackets placed forward Sonny Milano on injured reserve Wednesday. Milano joins Columbus forwards Brandon Dubinsky and Cam Atkinson and defenseman Ryan Murray on IR.
The Blue Jackets also recalled forward Tyler Motte from the AHL on Wednesday.
Sergei Bobrovsky is the likely starter in goal Thursday.
The Blue Jackets will play Thursday in their first game out of the bye week and don't play again until Tuesday when they kick off a two-game road trip at Vegas.
Injuries:D Ryan Murray (upper body), F Brandon Dubinsky (fractured orbital bone), F Sonny Milano (oblique) and F Cam Atkinson (fractured foot) are on injured reserve.

Season Series

Statistical Tidbits

This story was not subject to approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club. Mark Stepneski is an independent writer whose posts on DallasStars.com reflect his own opinions and do not represent official statements from the Dallas Stars. You can follow Mark on Twitter at @StarsInsideEdge.