FINAL: BLUE JACKETS 2 | STARS 4

Oct. 14 | NATIONWIDE ARENA



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After a poor first period, the Blue Jackets brought their skating legs in the second period and now the scoreboard reflects it. Columbus out-shot the Stars 16-9 in the middle frame and could very well be leading after 40 minutes if not for a couple of really good saves by Lehtonen at the end of the period. The Foligno-Johansen-Atkinson line has been terrific, and Johansen has both Jackets goals so far (his first two goals of the season). He's seeking his first career hat trick with 20 minutes left in regulation - and it's imperative that the Blue Jackets continue playing at the same pace they did in the second period.Dallas came ready to play a skating, north-south game and the Blue Jackets have matched their pace so far, and they'll need to do more of the same in what should be a great third period.Ryan Johansen buries his first of the season to cut the Stars' lead in half --> WATCH HERE Johansen's second goal of the period ties the game 2-2 --> WATCH HERE Second period highlights --> WATCH HERE Well, not the best start for the Blue Jackets tonight. The Stars got out to an early 2-0 lead and have dominated for the most part, but the Jackets got going late in the period and will begin the second period on the power play. Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn tallied first-period goals for Dallas, whose coach Lindy Ruff challenged his top players after a 4-1 loss in Nashville over the weekend. It was certainly a solid effort from the Stars' top guns to start the game, and they hold a 14-8 edge in shots after 20 minutes here at Nationwide Arena.First period highlights -->The Blue Jackets have placed forward Brian Gibbons on waivers, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.- Ryan Murray remains out of the line-up, but Todd Richards says he is getting close. Richards would like to get Murray in a game before the Jackets' west coast road trip next week, but would not commit to using Murray against the Calgary Flames on Friday.- Richards has liked his team positionally, but says he still wants his team to play faster in terms of the players' decision-making with the puck. He expects the Stars to bring an up-tempo pace tonight and that the Jackets will need to be aware of the Stars' defensemen joining the rush, in addition to the talent on their top two lines.- When asked about the importance of going 3-0 to start the season, RIchards said it was still important for the Jackets to learn how to win. "It's about not getting too high and not getting too low," said Richards.Here are the Blue Jackets' lines and pairs from the morning skate...

*Nick Foligno, who missed Monday's practice (maintenance), is back on the ice this morning.

Foligno-Johansen-Atkinson

Hartnell-Anisimov-Wennberg

Calvert-Letestu-Dano

Skille-Chaput-Boll



Johnson-Savard

Erixon-Wisniewski

Tyutin-Prout



Bobrovsky



After taking down the Rangers in a 5-2 rout in the home opener, the Blue Jackets will host one of the Western Conference’s up-and-coming teams when the Dallas Stars visit Columbus on Tuesday night.

The Stars are still searching for their first win of the season after a home shootout loss to Chicago on opening night and a disappointing showing in Nashville two nights later, a game they lost 4-1 and in which they generated only 18 shots.

Despite their early struggles, though, the Stars are loaded with offensive firepower. Captain Jamie Benn and center Tyler Seguin remain one of the best one-two scoring punches in the game, and they've received some secondary scoring help this season. Seguin finished his first season with 37 goals and 84 points to lead the Stars in scoring, with Benn following right behind him with 34 goals and 79 points.

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The Stars beefed up their attack during free agency this summer. Dallas added longtime Oiler Ales Hemsky, a player with offensive potential when healthy. But Dallas’ biggest headline-grabbing move was the trade that brought Ottawa Senators captain Jason Spezza to Dallas, an instant improvement to their depth at center.

No Stars center last season reached the 50-point mark besides Seguin. Spezza hasn’t missed that mark since his rookie season in 2002-03, when he recorded 21 points but played only 33 games.

The Blue Jackets can have success against Dallas with much the same game plan that stifled the Rangers. The Jackets’ speed and relentless forecheck disrupted the Rangers breakout for much of Saturday night, collapsing the Rangers deep in their own end and creating open space high in the zone. It was that space that opened shooting lanes for Artem Anisimov’s goal, as well as the long-range shots leading to rebound goals by Cam Atkinson and Marko Dano.

Sergei Bobrovsky will start for the Blue Jackets coming off his second win of the season. Bobrovsky sparkled, making 24 saves including a highlight-reel stop on Martin St. Louis. Kari Lehtonen, who won 33 games last season, is expected to start for the Stars.

PROJECTED LINEUP

*Nick Foligno missed practice on Monday, and was replaced by Corey Tropp. Todd Richards expects Foligno to be ready to play.

(These were lines employed during Monday’s practice) ...

Hartnell-Anisimov- Wennberg

Tropp (Foligno)-Johansen-Atkinson

Calvert-Letestu- Dano

Skille-Chaput-Boll

Johnson-Savard

Erixon-Wisniewski

Tyutin-Prout

Bobrovsky

UP NEXT

vs. Calgary Flames

Friday, 7 p.m. ET

Nationwide Arena