Game Details:
- Matchup: Columbus Blue Jackets (0-0-0) at Dallas Stars (0-0-0)
- Date: Tuesday, October 21
- Time: 8:10 PM EST
- TV: ESPN
- Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Odds:
- Moneyline: Blue Jackets +152 | Stars -184
The Matchup
The Dallas Stars host the Columbus Blue Jackets in an early-season contest that pits a Stanley Cup contender against a team in the midst of a youth movement. Dallas, a Western Conference powerhouse, comes in as a heavy home favorite (-184), looking to start their campaign on the right foot. The Blue Jackets, significant underdogs (+152), will aim to play spoiler and prove their young roster can compete with the league’s elite.
Columbus Blue Jackets Outlook
The Blue Jackets enter the new season with hopes of taking a significant step forward in their rebuild. After a season that saw key players like defenseman Zach Werenski and center Sean Monahan deal with injuries, the team is hoping a healthy roster can find more consistency. While the search results show injury reports from the previous season for players like Werenski, Monahan, and Boone Jenner, they are expected to be ready for the start of the new year.
For Columbus to pull off the upset, they will need their top offensive talents to solve one of the league’s best goalies. This means players like Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine must generate high-quality chances and capitalize on any mistakes. The young defense will face its toughest test of the young season against a deep and talented Dallas forward group. An early goal could build confidence, but containing the Stars’ attack for a full 60 minutes will be a monumental task.
Dallas Stars Outlook
The Dallas Stars are once again poised for a deep playoff run, and it starts with taking care of business at home against teams like Columbus. The Stars boast a formidable and balanced lineup featuring Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and Joe Pavelski up front, a defense anchored by a healthy Miro Heiskanen, and Vezina-caliber goaltending from Jake Oettinger.
Based on reports from early October, the Stars may be without a player listed as “Back” (undisclosed), who had begun skating but had not yet rejoined the team. However, the rest of the core is expected to be intact. Dallas’s strategy will be to use their speed and skill to overwhelm the Blue Jackets’ defense, control possession, and wear them down. Their power play can be lethal, and they will look to exploit any penalties Columbus commits. Playing at home, expect the Stars to come out with energy and set the tone early.
Prediction
While the Blue Jackets have promising young pieces, they are simply outmatched on paper against the Dallas Stars. The combination of Dallas’s high-powered offense, solid defense led by Heiskanen, and the stellar goaltending of Jake Oettinger is a difficult formula for any team to beat, especially on the road.
The Stars are heavy favorites for a reason. They are a deeper, more experienced, and more talented team at nearly every position. Columbus will struggle to contain the Stars’ top lines and will find it equally difficult to generate enough offense against Oettinger. Look for Dallas to control the pace of the game and secure a comfortable victory.
Final Score Prediction: Dallas Stars 4, Columbus Blue Jackets 1
Moneyline Pick: Dallas Stars (-184)
Sources:
Columbus Blue Jackets Injury Report and Status 2025-26 – CBS …
Columbus Blue Jackets Injury Status – ESPN
Columbus Blue Jackets Injury Update
Blue Jackets injury update: Monahan to miss time with wrist injury
Predators vs. Blue Jackets Injury Report Today – October 26
NHL update: Columbus Blue Jackets make progress with spate of …
Columbus Blue Jackets Injuries | Puckpedia
2025 Columbus Blue Jackets Injury Report | Lines.com
Blue Jackets’ Sean Monahan expected to be out until March after …
Columbus Blue Jackets Injury Update – Yahoo Sports