Stars-Blue Jackets Preview

Dallas Stars at Columbus Blue Jackets
Thursday February 4
6:00 pm
TV: FSN | Radio: KTCK 1310-AM

The Stars (25-20-11) wrapped up a four-game homestand with a 4-2 win over Minnesota Tuesday. The Stars went 3-1-0 in the four games and improved to 6-3-0 in their last nine games overall. Marty Turco, getting only his third start in the past nine games, stopped 40 of 42 shots.

"I saw the puck pretty puck pretty good," Turco said. "I was excited to get back in there and was remembering some of the nuances and rituals that take place. It felt really good to get back out there. The guys played a good, solid game."

Turco will start in goal for the Stars again on Thursday.

The Stars recalled RW Ray Sawada from the Texas Stars (AHL) on Wednesday.

Injuries: LW Brian Sutherby (shoulder), C Tom Wandell (knee) and Mike Ribeiro (throat) are out.

"It has become clear that despite the efforts of Hitch, the coaches and the players to find a solution, it wasn't working," said Columbus GM Scott Howson. "The team wasn't responding to the message and we felt this change was necessary to move forward in the right direction."

The Blue Jackets, who made the playoffs for the first time last season, got off to a strong start this season but are just 10-21-6 over their last 36 games.

Injuries: D Mike Commodore (hip) and D Milan Jurcina (hip) are questionable. D Rostislav Klesla (groin) is out.

• This is the third of four meetings between the two teams. The Blue Jackets are 2-1-0 in the season series and the Stars are 1-2-0.

• The Stars are 1-9-2 in their last 12 road games.
• The Blue Jackets are 5-7-2 in their last 14 home games.
• The Stars are 2-33 on the power play in their last nine road games.
• Stars center Mike Modano has eight points (six goals, two assists) in his last eight games.