Dallas @ Columbus preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 12, 2018 ) Columbus 2, Dallas 1

After opening the season by absorbing a pair of lopsided defeats, the Columbus Blue Jackets are starting to turn things around with two victories in their last three games, including handing both Buffalo and Carolina their first losses. The Blue Jackets look to post back-to-back wins for the first time when they host the skidding Dallas Stars on Wednesday night.

Coach John Tortorella said his players "should feel good about themselves" after ending the Hurricanes' perfect start with a 3-2 victory at Carolina on Saturday. Columbus also should feel good about owning a seven-game winning streak against Dallas, holding the Stars to one goal in each of the past four meetings. Dallas has been outscored 11-3 during a three-game slide and is off to its worst start since 1990-91, when the team was still known as the Minnesota North Stars. "A little adversity never hurt," Stars captain Jamie Benn said. "It seems like it's magnified because it's the start of the year here. You can kind of get away with stretches like this in the middle of the season."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), FS Ohio (Columbus)

ABOUT THE STARS (1-5-1): Dallas continues to sputter on the power play, converting on only 1 of 22 chances for the season, including 0-for-8 in its last two games. "I think special teams is a big factor right now," general manager Jim Nill said. "You're always going to have games or times in a season where you don't really have it, and I think if your special teams are on, that gives you a chance to win." Veteran forward Corey Perry, who has yet to suit up for the Stars due to a foot injury, is listed as a game-time decision for Wednesday.

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (2-3-0): Offense has been an issue for Columbus, which has scored 11 times in five games, but coach John Tortorella said part of the problem is adapting to the departure of two-time Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky. "We're inexperienced in goal," Tortorella said. "I want them to get an opportunity to get themselves in the season without us taking so many (offensive) chances." One positive for the attack has been the play of top-line center Pierre-Luc Dubois, who has scored in back-to-back games and has points in three straight.

OVERTIME

1. Stars G Ben Bishop has lost four in a row (0-3-1) to Columbus.

2. Blue Jackets RW Josh Anderson (upper body) skated Tuesday but is not expected to return to the lineup.

3. Dallas F Denis Gurianov was recalled from Texas (AHL) and is expected to play Wednesday.

PREDICTION: Blue Jackets 4, Stars 2