DALLAS — In a thrilling match on Sunday, Evgenii Dadonov netted two crucial goals in the closing 8:38, leading the Dallas Stars to a 5-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
His first goal, which broke the tie, was validated through video review, confirming that his stick did not rise above the crossbar. Shortly after, he secured a wraparound goal, pushing Dallas ahead with just over four minutes remaining.
Wyatt Johnston contributed to the winning effort with a goal and an assist, while Mason Marchment and Logan Stankoven also found the net for the Stars, who have now clinched five straight victories. Casey DeSmith showcased his skills in goal, making 27 saves throughout the match.
On the Blue Jackets’ side, players Cole Sillinger, Adam Fantilli, and Ivan Provorov all scored, giving Columbus brief leads throughout the game. However, the team faced disappointment after recently winning three consecutive games, all ending in overtime. Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins was active, stopping 34 shots in the match.
Marchment made his return after an 18-game absence, having sustained a facial injury from a puck on December 27. He made an immediate impact, drawing a penalty during his first shift while aggressively attacking the net.
In terms of injuries, the Blue Jackets found themselves down two key players: defenseman Dante Fabbro left the game in the first period, and forward Kirill Marchenko, who leads the team with 21 goals, exited during the second. Notably, Sillinger reached a significant milestone with his 100th career point, marking his second goal in just three games.
For the Stars, rookie Mavrik Bourque had to be assisted off the ice late in the third period after being struck by a puck. Defenseman Thomas Harley made his mark with two assists, while newly acquired forward Mikael Granlund recorded an assist in his debut after joining from San Jose. Additionally, rookie defenseman Lian Bichsel notched his first assist in the NHL.
A pivotal moment in the game came when Dallas successfully neutralized a 6-on-4 power play for Columbus during the closing moments of the match.
Dallas continues to excel on home ice, boasting an impressive penalty kill statistic, having successfully defended against all three attempts against them—bringing their season total to 65 out of 72, which translates to an outstanding 90.3%.
Looking ahead, the Stars will travel to Anaheim on Tuesday, marking the first leg of six away games, with three games happening before and after the 4 Nations break. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets will conclude their four-game road trip on Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres.
