Columbus vs Dallas Prediction 23 January 2026
🔊 The Dallas Stars, who have squandered a significant lead since the start of 2026, head to Ohio to face the Columbus Blue Jackets, a team fighting desperately for a playoff spot as the second-to-last in the Eastern Conference. Can the Stars pull away from their pursuers and kick off their first winning streak of the calendar year? Let's dive into the prediction and preview of the upcoming matchup.
Head-to-Head
📊 Over the past five years, the teams have faced off 17 times-Columbus emerged victorious in seven encounters, while Dallas claimed victory in ten. The goal average in their head-to-head clashes during this period stands at 2.7 goals per game for Columbus and 3.3 for Dallas.
This season, the teams will meet for the second time. Their October 2025 showdown in Texas ended with a resounding victory for the Blue Jackets (5-1). Russian players Dmitry Voronkov, Kirill Marchenko, and Yegor Chinakhov played pivotal roles in that match, each contributing a point.
Head-to-head statistics Columbus - Dallas
Columbus Blue Jackets Team Overview
Columbus' recent performances have been a rollercoaster: after enduring four losses, they embarked on a four-game winning streak. However, that streak came to an end as the Blue Jackets fell to Ottawa at Nationwide Arena, losing 1-4.
Despite sitting in 15th place in the conference, fans shouldn't be misled by the standings. They are only six points away from a playoff spot and eight points from the top five. The tight competition in the East is something the West could envy, with intrigue already lighting up the final third of the regular season.
The injury list still includes forward Miles Wood, who hasn't played yet in 2026, and now defenseman Dante Fabbro has joined him after picking up an injury in Pittsburgh.
Match Results: Columbus Blue Jackets
Dallas Stars Team Overview
In the new year, the Stars have struggled to string together even a two-game winning streak. Glen Gulutzan's team has managed to win only 3 out of their last 11 games, allowing Colorado to pull ahead in the standings (65 points to 76). Over their last ten games, only two Western Conference teams have collected fewer points than Dallas (8 points): St. Louis and Vancouver.
Despite a rocky start to 2026, the Stars remain consistent in their goals scored and allowed metrics. The Texans average 3.32 goals per game (8th in the league), while conceding 2.76 (only four teams have a better record).
It's likely that Mikko Rantanen, the team's leading scorer with 63 points, will return for the game in Ohio after missing the matchup against Boston (6-2). However, defenseman Lian Bichsel and forward Tyler Seguin remain on the injured list.
Match Results: Dallas Stars
🏒 Projected Lineups
Columbus: Greaves - Werenski, Severson - Sillinger, Fantilli, Marchenko
Dallas: Oettinger - Lindell, Heiskanen - Steel, Johnston, Rantanen
🥅 Goalies
In their last three games, the Blue Jackets started with Latvian goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, but he was pulled after the first period in a 4-1 loss to Ottawa. Jet Greaves, boasting a save percentage of 90.8%, is likely ready to reclaim his spot as the starting goalie. The 24-year-old ranks among the NHL's top goaltenders this season with 867 saves.
The Stars recently snapped their losing streak, but the performance and stats of their primary goaltender Jake Oettinger remain underwhelming. The American netminder has managed to save 90% or more of shots faced only twice this calendar year.
Editor's Prediction
Following their commanding victory over Boston, Dallas will be eager to string together a successful run for the first time in a month (even if it's just two games). Columbus maintains a decent shot at making the playoffs for the first time in five years, and the Blue Jackets are likely to fight hard for that opportunity.
The recent head-to-head meetings between these teams have been high-scoring affairs, with an average of 7.8 goals per game between the Jackets and the Stars. Considering the current standings, we can reasonably predict: the trend will continue, so expect a total of more than 5.5 goals in the match.
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Betting Tips: Columbus Blue Jackets - Dallas Stars
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