Game Preview: Blue Jackets Kick Off Back-To-Back On The Road Against Jason Robertson And The Dallas Stars

DALLAS STARS
30-14-12 (72 points; .643%) ROSTER / SCHEDULE
6:00 P.M. – SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18 AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER  DALLAS, TX
TELEVISION: Bally Sports Ohio ESPN+ (Out of Market)
PROJECTIONS:
ODDS OF CBJ WIN PER MONEYPUCK: 27%
ODDS OF CBJ WIN PER THE 538: 27%
CAESAR'S SPORTSBOOK: DAL -267

Two teams in the midst of multi-city back-to-backs will meet deep in the heart of Texas on Saturday night when the Columbus Blue Jackets face off against the Dallas Stars.

For the Blue Jackets, it's the first night of a back-to-back. They'll head for the desert after the game for a Sunday battle with the Arizona Coyotes. 

But for Dallas, Saturday is a trip home and the second leg of a back-to-back. The Stars fell short in Minnestoa against the Wild on Friday night, losing 2-1 in overtime. 

Here's what to know when Dallas and Columbus meet for the second and final time this season. 

TALKING POINTS: STARS

• Jason Robertson could be the most underrated player in the NHL today. Not only is the talent obviously present and one to gameplan around, but the proof is in the pudding as Robertson he leads the team in goals, points, and assists. He also ranks sixth in shots per 60 minutes — but has a higher shooting percentage than the five players above him. Additionally, Robertson is 5th in the league with 4.11 points per 60 minutes but is a whisper away from ranking second and trailing only Connor McDavid. 
   
• Roope Hintz and the ageless Joe Pavelski both just crossed the 50-point line. Hintz is 26 years old, but Pavelski? He'll be 39 this summer. He's aging like a fine wine. Also: with 46 points, Jamie Benn isn't far off from being the fourth Star with 50 points. 
   
• Goalie Jake Oettinger is having a whale of a season but was in net and made 31 saves on 32 shots in Friday's shootout loss to the Wild. It's uncommon for goalies to play a home-and-road back-to-back, so backup Scott Wedgewood needs to be ready to go. W

TALKING POINTS: CBJ

• Five Blue Jackets — Johnny Gaudreau, Boone Jenner, Patrik Laine, Kirill Marchenko, and Kent Johnson — have a reasonable chance at leading the team in goals this season. All are between 12 and 16 goals this season, and one or two great games from any of the five could put them in the drivers seat. Friendly competition, we'll call it. 
   
• Both Joonas Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins have been as consistent in the last two weeks as they've been all season. Columbus has allowed three or less goals in four straight games, with each netminder starting two of those games. The total of ten goals scored by the opposition over that stretch marks just the second time this season the Blue Jackets have allowed ten or less goals over a four-game stretch. For Korpisalo, it may simply be adding trade value should the Blue Jackets decide to go that route. For Merzlikins, it may be an indication that he has a chance to live up to his five-year, $27.5 million dollar contract.

PROJECTED CBJ LINES
Updated: 7:05 a.m. // Subject to Change