Dallas Stars Obliterate Blue Jackets, 5-1

The Dallas Stars changed their tune in between the first and second periods to give a great performance, absolutely crushing the Blue Jackets 5-1.

After a pretty alarming first period performance, Lindy Ruff came to the rescue with his line-juggling and jump-started another thrilling Dallas Stars victory. The Blue Jackets were defeated in the AAC for the first time since 2011, with a crushing score of 5-1.

Period 1

Although it seemed like the Dallas Stars would have learned their lesson in lagging early on, it was the Columbus Blue Jackets who began the period on fire, no doubt looking to break through their top line’s scoring drought.

Early on, it seemed like turnovers would again be a source of trouble for the Stars, although some good defending from Alex Goligoski, being in the right place at the right time, was an early period highlight.

With ten minutes gone in the first, shots were 10-5 Columbus, and the Stars were downright getting beaten in their own zone. Despite the unmatched aggression of the Blue Jackets, Johnny Oduya scored an unassisted wrister 17:53 in.

When the buzzer sounded to end the first, it was this goal and the incredible play of Kari Lehtonen in goal which gave the Stars the advantage. The Stars ended the first with 10 giveaways and only 3 takeaways, compared to Columbus’ 4 and 5, respectively.

Period 2

After some major line juggling on the part of Lindy Ruff, the Dallas Stars greeted the second in a much more Dallas Star-like fashion. Putting Eakin on the first line with Seguin and Benn and combining Sharp, Spezza, and Nichushkin for the top two lines proved beneficial, as the Stars immediately appeared less lost in their own zone and more adventurous outside of it.

However, Travis Moen was called for highsticking 17 minutes in, resulting in a Blue Jackets power play goal from Scott Hartnell to tie it up. From here, it seemed that Columbus was ready to retaliate, and it could be anyone’s game.

The Dallas Stars continued to create good looks, one in particular as a result from some Patrick Sharp- Valeri Nichushkin teamwork. The desperation level was definitely rising for the Stars, and the grit in their game increasing.

Then, 13 minutes into the second, Alex Goligoski added to his good night by netting a goal assisted by Alex Hemsky and Val Nichushkin to give the Stars the lead once again. From here, the Stars would only get better.

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At 16:26, Tyler Seguin pulled a cheeky fake shot and Korpisalo bit, letting in Seguin’s 16^th goal of the year, assisted by John Klingberg and Kari Lehtonen himself. Only 30 seconds later, Seguin decided to make it a double goal night and scored again, this time assisted by Jamie Benn and Cody Eakin, bringing the tally to 4-1 and dampening any hopes the Blue Jackets had of getting back in this game.

Period 3

Only 1:47 into the third period, Mattias Janmark had his say as he scored an unassisted goal to even further overwhelm Columbus and make it four unanswered goals. The rest of the third period was peppered with frenzied shot attempts, unfruitful power play ventures, and even the characteristic Roussel fight, which sent him off with a major, followed later on with another group tussle to close out the game at a staggering 5-1 score.

Thoughts and Observations

Nobody can say the Dallas Stars aren’t quick learners and don’t know how to think on their feet. After an extremely sluggish and alarming first period, Lindy Ruff threw some new lines together (probably literally), and changed the whole dynamic of the game.

One area that the Stars didn’t show improvement in tonight was the power play, which fell a little flat despite the work they’ve been putting into special teams.

After tonight, the Dallas Stars extend their record of sustaining no more than one-game losing streaks, and rack up two more points for a total of 48 and a record of 23-6-2.

Next: Dallas Stars Earn Their Strips When Chips Are Down

The Dallas Stars will take on the Calgary Flames next at the AAC on Thursday night at 7:30 CT. As always, it promises to be a wild ride!