The Columbus Blue Jackets visit the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on Saturday, October 31, 2026, with puck drop set for 8:00 PM EDT.
Matchup: Columbus Blue Jackets (5-6-0, 10 points in 2026-27) at Dallas Stars (7-5-1, 15 points in 2026-27)
Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
Puck drop: 8:00 PM EDT (7:00 PM CDT local)
Venue: American Airlines Center
How to watch: DAL: Prime Video · CBJ: CBJNHL, CBJHN
Columbus Blue Jackets News & Notes
Columbus arrives in Dallas on Saturday after a 3-2 loss in Carolina on Thursday, a game the Blue Jackets pushed to close late in the third period before Pyotr Kochetkov held them off in a historic night for the Hurricanes goaltender. The Stars close a homestand looking to end a skid and find consistency. The matchup also marks a return to Dallas for head coach Rick Bowness and Valeri Nichushkin, both of whom have history with the Stars organization.
Dallas Stars News & Notes
The slide continued Thursday in a 5-2 loss to Montreal, with Cole Caufield and Alex Newhook each scoring twice and Dallas’ puck play described afterward as “atrocious.” Rookie defenseman Trey Taylor, a British Columbia native and former Vernon Vipers alternate captain, was recalled and made his NHL debut in the game, while Sam Steel returned to the lineup. The Stars close their homestand against Columbus still searching for consistency.
Columbus Blue Jackets Projected Lines
Line 1: Valeri Nichushkin – Adam Fantilli – Kent Johnson
Line 2: Matthew Knies – Charlie Coyle – Mathieu Olivier
Line 3: Sean Monahan – Cole Sillinger – Conor Garland
Line 4: Danton Heinen – Luca Del Bel Belluz – Ryan Lomberg
Pair 1: Zach Werenski – Damon Severson
Pair 2: Jake Christiansen – Denton Mateychuk
Pair 3: Dante Fabbro – Erik Gudbranson
Goaltenders: Jet Greaves – Cam Talbot
Columbus Blue Jackets Special Teams
Power play, First unit: Matthew Knies – Adam Fantilli – Kent Johnson – Charlie Coyle – Zach Werenski
Power play, Second unit: Valeri Nichushkin – Sean Monahan – Conor Garland – Denton Mateychuk – Damon Severson
Penalty kill, First unit: Sean Monahan – Valeri Nichushkin – Denton Mateychuk – Erik Gudbranson
Penalty kill, Second unit: Charlie Coyle – Mathieu Olivier – Zach Werenski – Damon Severson
Dallas Stars Projected Lines
Line 1: Sam Steel – Wyatt Johnston – Mikko Rantanen
Line 2: Jason Robertson – Roope Hintz – Tyler Seguin
Line 3: Joel Kiviranta – Arttu Hyry – Jamie Benn
Line 4: David Perron – Justin Hryckowian – Colin Blackwell
Pair 1: Thomas Harley – Miro Heiskanen
Pair 2: Lian Bichsel – Nils Lundkvist
Pair 3: Trey Taylor – Tyler Myers
Goaltenders: Jake Oettinger – Casey DeSmith
Dallas Stars Special Teams
Power play, First unit: Wyatt Johnston – Roope Hintz – Mikko Rantanen – Miro Heiskanen – Jason Robertson
Power play, Second unit: Justin Hryckowian – Tyler Seguin – Jamie Benn – Thomas Harley – Mikko Rantanen
Penalty kill, First unit: Arttu Hyry – Joel Kiviranta – Thomas Harley – Miro Heiskanen
Penalty kill, Second unit: Justin Hryckowian – Colin Blackwell – Nils Lundkvist – Tyler Myers
Players To Watch
Zach Werenski — Columbus Blue Jackets
Werenski logged 28:47 last time out and came away with an assist on one shot. Box Score Junkie has him at 49.3% Corsi-for this season with 56.6 shot attempts for per 60 across 318 minutes, so the volume is there — but zero goals on 1.8 expected goals says the finishing is overdue.
Mikko Rantanen — Dallas Stars
Rantanen piled up two assists on a single shot last game in 23:04. Box Score Junkie’s 2026-27 numbers back the play: 62.1% Corsi-for, 62.4% Fenwick and 66.8 attempts for per 60, with six goals on 3.6 expected. He’s driving play and burying chances — a sensible points-prop target.
Injury Report
Columbus Blue Jackets: no report available.
Dallas Stars
Kyle Capobianco (D) — Out, Leg, expected back Friday, November 27
Esa Lindell (D) — Injured Reserve, Lower Body, expected back Saturday, October 31
Radek Faksa (C) — Out, Lower Body, expected back Thursday, November 5
Oskar Back (C) — Injured Reserve, Finger, expected back Saturday, November 14
Matt Duchene (C) — Injured Reserve, Abdomen, expected back Tuesday, January 12
Luke Krys (D) — Injured Reserve, Undisclosed, expected back Saturday, October 31
Betting Odds
Moneyline (DraftKings, as of October 31 at 4:18 AM ET): Columbus Blue Jackets +154, Dallas Stars -185.
Odds change through the day; check the sportsbook before betting. 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Next Up
Columbus Blue Jackets: host the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday, November 3.
Dallas Stars: visit the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, November 3.