Stars vs. Blue Jackets Prediction: Why Dallas Has the Edge on Thursday

The Dallas Stars (9-5-1) and Columbus Blue Jackets (6-7-0) meet at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET, and that game can be viewed or streamed on ESPN+.

The Stars kicked off a quick two-game Eastern Conference road trip with a 6-5 victory in the nation’s capital against Washington as slight underdogs (-102) as the Over (5.5) connected. The Stars have won back-to-back games after losing consecutive home contests Oct. 27-29 against New Jersey and Montreal. The Over has cashed in four of the past five outings, too.

Dallas topped Columbus 3-1 on Halloween in the Metroplex before it headed to D.C. The Stars (-185) covered the puck line in that victory as the Under (5.5) cashed. F Mikko Rantanen had a power-play goal to kick off the scoring, while D Thomas Harley was credited with the game-winning goal. Columbus D Damon Severson accounted for CBJ’s only lamp lighting.

For the Blue Jackets, they’re just 4-6-0 in the past 10 games, but they proved why Columbus needs to be taken seriously last time out. It picked up a 7-2 victory as short ‘dogs (+105) on Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche, who did not fare well at all in the second end of a back-to-back.

The Over was a rarity for Columbus, as it has cashed the Under in five of the past eight outings. The seven-goal explosion, especially against the Avalanche, was surprising. Prior to that victory, Columbus had managed to light the lamp just 23 times in the previous 11 games, or just 2.1 goals per game (GPG). It has allowed three or fewer goals in five in a row, and seven of the past eight games, too.

The Blue Jackets have scored 2.7 GPG, ranking 27th, and it is 25th with 25.5 shots on goal (SOG). It is just 17.1% on the power play, too. Defensively, Columbus has allowed 3.2 GPG, which is middle of the road, as is shots against at 27.2 SOG, ranking 15th. The penalty kill hasn’t been very good for the Jackets, killing penalties at just a 72.5% clip, good for 24th in the NHL.

The Stars are 26th in goals scored with 2.6 GPG, while ranking 24th with 25.6 SOG, ranking 24th. It’s so-so on the power play at 21.9%. Defensively, though, is where the bread is buttered for the Stars. It’s No. 1 in the NHL with 2.1 GPG, 22.3 SOG and a ridiculous 93.6% penalty kill.

The goaltender for Dallas is expected to be Jake Oettinger (8-3-1, 1.90 GAA, .909 SV%, 3 SO), and he has been on fire this season. And, on the road, the Lakeville, Minn. native has been at his best, going 3-0-1 with a 1.48 GAA and .934 SV% with two shutouts in four starts.

Columbus is expected to counter with veteran journeyman Cam Talbot (4-2-0, 2.70 GAA, .900 SV%), who has done a good job in between the pipes.

We’re going to take the STARS ML (-130) on the moneyline, and let’s go UNDER 5.5 (-105) on the total, especially due to Oettinger, and his potential for a shutout.