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Hot Kirill Marchenko leads Blue Jackets into tilt with Stars
The Columbus Blue Jackets will try to keep momentum rolling when they face the Dallas Stars on Tuesday at American Airlines Center. Columbus enters at 2-3-0 after a strong win over Tampa Bay, while Dallas is 3-2-0 and returning home after a two-game skid.
Columbus responded well to a poor showing against Colorado with a full 60-minute effort against the Lightning. Kirill Marchenko scored the go-ahead goal, giving him five tallies in five games. Coach Dean Evason praised his team’s accountability and Marchenko’s developing two-way game.
The Stars, meanwhile, need a reset after dropping games to Vancouver and St. Louis. Dallas held early leads in both but struggled to close, something coach Glen Gulutzan wants fixed. Forward Radek Faksa said the team hasn’t yet played a full game under the new system, and that remains a focus heading into this matchup.
You can follow both clubs and all upcoming NHL team stats and pages as the regular season unfolds.
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Line Movement and Odds
Dallas opened around -185 on the moneyline and has moved to -200 at most books. Columbus sits near +166. The total opened at 6 goals (Over -118, Under -104), with the market leaning slightly to the Over.
Early public money favors the Stars on both the moneyline and puck line, while sharper bettors have taken value on Columbus +1.5. You can always compare the latest movement on the NHL odds page before locking in your wager.
Matchup Breakdown
The Blue Jackets can win if they maintain puck pressure and capitalize on special teams. They’ve scored 14 goals in five games and rank near the top in blocked shots. Marchenko’s offensive consistency gives them a spark, while rookies Cole Sillinger and Adam Fantilli continue to push the pace.
The Stars can respond if their depth scoring returns to form. Mikko Rantanen and Jason Robertson lead the way, but Dallas needs more from its second line. The power play ranks fourth in the league with five goals, and goaltender Jake Oettinger remains a steady force with a 3-1 record.
For more pregame stats and projections, check the full NHL game previews section
Injuries and Conditions
Columbus Blue Jackets
- Erik Gudbranson (D) – Questionable, undisclosed.
- Luca Marrelli (D) – Out, shoulder.
- Miles Wood (LW) – Questionable, face injury.
Full updates on each player’s availability can be found in the Columbus Blue Jackets injury report
Dallas Stars
- Jamie Benn (LW) – Out, lung.
- Nils Lundkvist (D) – Out, lower body.
- Kyle McDonald (RW) – Out, knee.
- Oskar Bäck (C), Luke Krys (D), Chase Wheatcroft (C) – All out.
Check the Dallas Stars injury report before placing props or lineup bets.
No weather issues are expected for this indoor matchup.
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Best Bets and Prediction
Dallas remains the better side on paper, but Columbus brings value with its recent improvement. The Stars have gone 1-3 ATS as favorites, while the Blue Jackets have covered three of five.
Prediction: Stars 4, Blue Jackets 2
Best Bet: Dallas moneyline (-200)
Secondary Lean: Under 6.0 goals
For updated betting breakdowns, you can always visit the expert NHL betting guide
ScoresAndStats Handicappers and Picks
See which handicappers are riding the Stars tonight on the NHL picks page or explore premium buy picks.
For additional betting tips, visit the Bettors Handbook
