Red-Hot Stars Brace for Surging Blue Jackets in Sunday Showdown

Despite a rash of injuries, the Dallas Stars keep rolling. But their five-game win streak is on the line as they host a surging Columbus Blue Jackets squad looking for its fourth straight win.

Stars Keep Winning Despite Key Injuries

The Stars have been 14-4-1 since Dec. 23, placing them among the Western Conference’s elite. That success has come despite injuries to:
✅ Tyler Seguin (hip)
✅ Mason Marchment (face)
✅ Miro Heiskanen (knee)
✅ Nils Lundkvist (shoulder – out for season)

Even with a depleted lineup, Dallas continues to find ways to win.

On Friday, Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz each delivered two goals and an assist in a 5-3 win over Vancouver. The Stars were outshot 35-16, but capitalized on their opportunities.

“You’ve got to win all kinds of different ways in this league,” said coach Pete DeBoer. “We’ve got to have different formulas here to win games.”

Robertson has been on fire, posting 34 of his 49 points in his last 25 games. Meanwhile, Hintz has 3 goals and 5 assists in his last 4 games.

Goaltender Jake Oettinger has given up three goals in three straight starts, but he’s won all three. Backup Casey DeSmith, who last played in a 2-0 shutout win over St. Louis (Jan. 25), could get the nod Sunday.

Columbus Stays Hot with Clutch OT Wins

The Blue Jackets (14-4-2 since Dec. 19) are surging up the Eastern Conference standings and hold a wild-card spot. They’ve won three straight games in overtime, including the first two of their four-game road trip.

On Friday, Columbus trailed 2-0 entering the third period against Utah. Kirill Marchenko and Kent Johnson tied it up before Zach Werenski scored in OT for a 3-2 win.

“It’s one of those things where if we want to get where we want to go, and take steps forward, these are the types of games you have to win,” Werenski said.

Werenski has been a force on offense, setting a franchise record with 17 points in January. He’s in the race for the NHL’s top-scoring defenseman alongside Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar. However, Werenski has struggled in Dallas, tallying just two assists in seven career road games against the Stars.

Marchenko leads Columbus with 21 goals, including three in his last four games.

Goaltender Daniil Tarasov stopped 31 of 33 shots against Utah, but Elvis Merzlikins is expected to start. Merzlikins has been dominant in his last six starts, going 5-1-0 with a 1.66 GAA and .939 save percentage.

Trade Alert: Stars Add Depth for Playoff Push

On Saturday, Dallas made a key trade, acquiring Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci from San Jose. In exchange, the Stars sent their 2025 first-round pick and a conditional third-rounder to the Sharks.

If Dallas makes the Stanley Cup Final, San Jose gets their third-round pick. If not, it becomes a fourth-round selection.

With both teams streaking, Sunday’s matchup could be a playoff preview. Will the Stars keep rolling, or will Columbus stay hot with another OT thriller?