Stars Top Blue Jackets 3-1 Behind Rantanen
Dallas snapped a two-game losing streak with a win over Columbus, its first against the Blue Jackets since February 2, 2025.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Hockey
The Dallas Stars defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1 on Saturday, snapping their two-game losing streak. Jake Oettinger made 25 saves in the win.
Why it matters
The victory returned Dallas to the win column and gave the home crowd a result after two straight defeats. It also marked the Stars' first win over Columbus since February 2, 2025.
Mikko Rantanen's power-play goal was his seventh of the season and the Stars' seventh power-play goal overall, while Dallas is 44-for-47 (93.6%) on the penalty kill this season. The extraction does not provide league-wide comparison figures for these numbers.
The players
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are an NHL franchise based in Dallas, Texas, competing in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets are an NHL franchise based in Columbus, Ohio, competing in the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.
The details
Arttu Hyry also scored for Dallas, and Thomas Harley scored his first goal of the season. Columbus cut the lead to 2-1 before the Stars held on, and a Valeri Nichushkin goal was disallowed after a successful Dallas challenge.
Timeline
Saturday: Dallas Stars defeat Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1.
Tuesday: Dallas Stars play the Washington Capitals on the road.
Season Trajectory
The win ended Dallas's two-game skid and continued a season in which the Stars have built their record with special-teams performance, including a 7-goal, 7-power-play-goal stretch led by Mikko Rantanen. Dallas's first win over Columbus since February 2, 2025 adds a result against a division-level opponent to its early-season record.
Dallas's 3-1 win over Columbus keeps the team's season record above .500 with eight wins on the year. Fantasy managers tracking the power play should note that Rantanen's goal gives him seven on the season and the team seven power-play goals overall.
The takeaway
The Stars' ability to win on special teams and keep Columbus off the power play is a useful reminder that small edges often decide close games. Following the Tuesday road game against Washington will show whether Dallas can keep that form going.
What happens next
The Dallas Stars play the Washington Capitals on the road on Tuesday.
Further reading
Explore more Dallas hockey coverage for the latest on the Stars' season.
