Back to Even: Blue Jackets score late, win in shootout over Stars

Thursday, November 5, 2026
By Ed Francis
efrancis@cbussports.com

CBJ's Cam Talbot makes save

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Cam Talbot stretches to make a save against the Dallas Stars at Nationwide Arena on Thursday. Photo: Kevin Rouch

CBJ scorebug

to It wasn’t seven goals, but Cam Talbot made sure it didn’t need to be.

Two nights after an emphatic 7-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche, the Columbus Blue Jackets beat another Western Conference powerhouse Thursday night with a 2-1 shootout victory over the Dallas Stars.

The teams were scoreless into the third period as a result of strong play from Talbot, who won his fourth straight start, and Dallas’ Casey DeSmith, who came within minutes of a shutout.

Dallas got on the board first, with Mikko Rantanen scoring at the 6:27 mark of the third period.

Columbus had a number of chances to tie it but was denied repeatedly by DeSmith until Zach Werenski tied the game with just 3:14 remaining in regulation, scoring his first goal of the season when the Blue Jackets needed it most.

After a scoreless overtime period, Valeri Nichushkin and Kent Johnson both scored in the shootout to secure the victory for Columbus.

Talbot finished with 27 saves on 28 shots, while DeSmith made 29 saves for Dallas. Both, along with Werenski, were named as the Three Stars of the Game.

“I loved our response after they did score,” said Talbot. “We went down to the other end, we took it right back to them, and Z buried a big goal for us like we knew he was going to at some point.”

“If we play with this identity, we can play with anybody.”

Head coach Rick Bowness praised the veteran goaltender for his hot play as of late.

“Cam’s been outstanding for us, he really has,” said Bowness. “Timely saves, one after another.”

Here’s how the Blue Jackets got back to .500 on the season:

DAL: 1, CBJ: 0 (3RD PERIOD, 13:33 REMAINING)

A big-time turnover by Ivan Provorov leads to the first goal of the game. He coughs it up along the boards behind the net, and the puck goes right into the slot. Wyatt Johnston quickly fires a shot that Talbot stops, but the rebound goes right to Rantanen and he collects it, gets the opening he needs, and scores to give Dallas a 1-0 lead. There was a little bit of contact by Dallas on Talbot and Bowness considered a challenge, but opted against it. “Cam said it was 50/50 at best,” said Bowness. “Even the ref came over and told me ‘Good call, Bones.’”

DAL: 1, CBJ: 1 (3RD PERIOD, 3:14 REMAINING)

A huge time for Werenski to end his goal-scoring drought, but it doesn’t happen without incredible execution from both Johnson and Knies. First, a good entry by Knies as he protects the puck. He slips it to Johnson and he makes a perfect pass between Dallas defenders to Werenski, who carries the puck toward the net. Moving across the slot, Werenski pulls the puck to his backhand and lifts a shot over DeSmith’s left pad and inside the far post to tie the game at 1-1 late in regulation.

CBJ: 2, DAL: 1 (SHOOTOUT)

After neither team gets a goal in the first round of the shootout, Nichushkin dekes and goes backhand on DeSmith to give the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead in the second round. Talbot then stops Tyler Seguin’s shot, giving Johnson an opportunity to win it for Columbus. He does just that, using a bevy of moves on DeSmith before tucking it through his five-hole at the last possible opportunity to give the Blue Jackets the victory.

QUICK THOUGHTS: Can’t score seven goals every game. Wins have to come in all forms and this was certainly a style they’ll need to win in at times. Subtract a rough patch early in the second period and this was another strong and (mostly) complete game effort from the Blue Jackets, who seem to be putting it together over the last week or so.

NEXT UP: The second half of a back-to-back concludes in Buffalo on Friday night. Puck-drop against the Sabres is set for 7:00 p.m. Look for Jet Greaves to get the start in that one after Talbot was between the pipes in this one.