Stars at Blue Jackets
The NHL's mandated bye came a couple days too late for the Columbus Blue Jackets, who staggered into the break with a pair of losses against two of the league's worst teams. Columbus, which has been playing with an injury-depleted lineup, will face a difficult test in its return from the five-day hiatus when it hosts the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.
The Blue Jackets started the 2018 calendar year with a 2-1 win at Dallas -- their fourth straight win in the series -- but they were stomped by visiting Vancouver 5-2 after losing at Buffalo 3-1 entering the bye. "It'll leave a bad taste in the guys' mouths for sure," Columbus captain Nick Foligno said after the loss to the Canucks. "But ... we can get away, recharge and know that we have a chance here to get some energy for a big push in February, March and April." Dallas opened its four-game road trip with a 3-2 overtime win at Boston on Monday night and followed it up 24 hours later by doubling up Detroit 4-2 to improve to 6-2-0 in its last eight. "The things we've been harping on for months, we got in the last two games. Big plays by second-tier players, exactly what we need if we're going to win," Stars coach Ken Hitchcock said. "If we expect to be a playoff team, we can't rely on the same two or three guys every night."
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS-Southwest (Dallas), FS Ohio (Columbus)
ABOUT THE STARS (26-17-3): Veteran center Jason Spezza was mired in a 14-game goalless drought before he was scratched for Monday's loss, but he responded to the benching by scoring twice on the power play against the Red Wings. "I didn't like the decision, but we have to get through that and move forward," Spezza said. "I definitely wanted to have a good game after something like that." Defenseman John Klingberg had two assists Tuesday to give him 12 points during a career-high eight-game point streak.
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (25-18-3): Already missing defenseman Ryan Murray and forwards Cam Atkinson and Brandon Dubinsky, Columbus' depth took another hit when Sonny Milano went on injured reserve Tuesday. He is expected to miss six to eight weeks, prompting the Blue Jackets to claim veteran forward Jussi Jokinen off waivers from Los Angeles. "He can line up at center or either wing, is good in the faceoff circle and can play on the power play and kill penalties,” general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said of Jokinen.
OVERTIME
1. Blue Jackets D Seth Jones has a goal and five assists during a four-game point streak.
2. Stars F Alexander Radulov has three goals and seven assists during his five-game point streak.
3. The Blue Jackets recalled F Tyler Motte from Cleveland of the American Hockey League.