Dallas Stars @ Columbus Blue Jackets
Marchenko scores twice and Blue Jackets beat Stars 6-4 to stay in wild-card hunt
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- — Kirill Marchenko scored twice and the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Dallas Stars 6-4 on Tuesday night for their second straight win to keep them in the hunt for an Eastern Conference wild-card spot.
Ivan Provorov added a goal and an assist, while Mathieu Olivier and James van Riemsdyk also scored for Columbus. Adam Fantilli added an empty-netter with 32 seconds remaining and Elvis Merzlikins made 19 saves.
Jason Robertson had a goal and an assist for Dallas, which had won theree in a row. Jamie Benn, Roope Hintz and Mavrik Bourque each scored, and Mikael Granlund had two assists. Jake Oettinger stopped 23 shots.
Dallas: Playing the final game of a six-city road trip, the Stars fought back to pull within a goal late but couldn’t match Columbus’ energy and execution.
Columbus: The Blue Jackets started strong, weathered rallies from a tough Dallas team and killed off a critical four-minute penalty to secure two much-needed points.
Marchenko opened the scoring just 30 seconds into the game and later extended Columbus’ lead to 3-1 at 1:11 of the second period. The goals were his first since returning from a three-game absence due to a broken jaw.
Provorov’s goal was the 39th by a Blue Jackets defenseman this season — the most of any team in the NHL.
The Stars return home to host Los Angeles on Friday night, while the Blue Jackets visit Detroit on Thursday night.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Regular Season Series
Series tied 1-1
Game Information
- Referees:
- Frederick L'Ecuyer
- Graham Skilliter
- Linesmen:
- Matt MacPherson
- Kyle Flemington
2025-26 Central Division Standings
2025-26 Metropolitan Division Standings
| Team | W | L | OTL | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina | 22 | 11 | 3 | 47 |
| Philadelphia | 19 | 10 | 7 | 45 |
| NY Islanders | 20 | 13 | 4 | 44 |
| Washington | 19 | 13 | 5 | 43 |
| NY Rangers | 19 | 16 | 4 | 42 |
| New Jersey | 20 | 16 | 1 | 41 |
| Pittsburgh | 15 | 12 | 9 | 39 |
| Columbus | 15 | 15 | 6 | 36 |

