Dallas Stars vs Columbus Blue Jackets Picks and Predictions for Thursday January 22 2026
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The Dallas Stars travel to Nationwide Arena to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, January 22, 2026, with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 PM EST. This matchup will be televised on ESPN+, FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, and Victory+ Sports Network. Dallas enters as the road favorite at -125 on the moneyline, while Columbus is listed at +105. The total is set at 6.5 goals with the Over at -105 and the Under at -115. Be sure to check out our free NHL picks for more daily NHL betting insights.
Stars Aiming to Reassert Control Away From Home
The Dallas Stars come into this matchup with a 28-13-9 overall record and have been strong on the road at 15-6-6 this season. Over their last five games, the Stars have recently won over the Bruins and Kings, while also suffering losses to the Lightning, Mammoth, and Ducks, showing a mix of high-end performances and tighter defensive struggles.
From a statistical standpoint, Dallas is averaging 3.32 goals per game while allowing just 2.76 goals against. They generate 25.4 shots per game and give up 27.6 shots against, relying more on efficiency and structure than volume. Their ability to limit quality chances has been a key reason for their success this season.
One area where the Stars truly stand out is on the power play. Dallas has scored 42 power-play goals and owns an elite 29.2% power-play percentage, making them one of the most dangerous teams with the man advantage. While their penalty kill sits at 79.6%, their offensive upside on special teams often swings momentum in their favor.
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Blue Jackets Looking to Protect Home Ice
The Columbus Blue Jackets enter Thursday night with a 22-20-7 overall record and an 11-8-4 mark at home. In their last five games, Columbus has recently won over the Penguins, Canucks, Flames, and Mammoth, while also dropping a game to the Senators, showing solid form despite a recent setback.
Statistically, the Blue Jackets are averaging 2.94 goals per game while allowing 3.33 goals against. They generate 30.4 shots per game but also give up 30.8 shots against, which often leads to wide-open games with plenty of scoring chances at both ends of the ice.
Special teams remain a concern for Columbus. The Blue Jackets have scored 24 power-play goals with a 19.5% conversion rate, while their penalty kill sits at 75.4% and they have allowed 34 power-play goals against. Against a Dallas team with a lethal power play, discipline will be critical.
Dallas Stars vs Columbus Blue Jackets Pick
Dallas Stars vs Columbus Blue Jackets Pick
- Pick: Dallas Stars -125 (Moneyline)
Dallas gets the edge here due to their superior defensive numbers and elite power-play efficiency. Columbus has been competitive at home, but their defensive issues and penalty-killing struggles create a difficult matchup against a Stars team that capitalizes on mistakes. Dallas’ consistency on the road makes them the safer side.
Dallas Stars vs Columbus Blue Jackets Total Pick
- Pick: Over 6.5 Goals
I’m leaning toward the Over in this matchup because Columbus games tend to open up due to their shot volume and defensive leaks, and Dallas has the offensive firepower to take advantage. With both teams capable of scoring and special teams likely to play a role, I see this game pushing past the 6.5 total.
Final Score Prediction: Stars 4, Blue Jackets 3
This prediction was written before the completion of game play on Wednesday.
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