Columbus Blue Jackets' scoring slump continues in loss to Dallas Stars

Another tough first period and more offensive struggles have the Blue Jackets flying home unhappy after a 3-1 loss to the Dallas Stars on Oct. 31 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

More: Zach Werenski’s goal drought is an issue for the Columbus Blue Jackets

Damon Severson scored the only goal for the Blue Jackets (5-7-0), who finished their first multi-game road trip with a 1-2-0 record. Jet Greaves made 14 saves on 16 shots but his second goal allowed was tough to swallow after it gave the Stars a 2-0 lead with 0.2 seconds left in the first period.

Mikko Rantanen and Thomas Harley gave the Stars (8-5-1) a 2-0 lead in the first and Arttu Hyry scored into an empty net with 0.3 left in the third to seal the goaltending win for Jake Oettinger, who made five of his 25 saves to keep the Jackets from tying it in the final 11-plus minutes.

A buzzer beater from Harls pic.twitter.com/HaBnh8ZQpS

— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) November 1, 2026

Turning point

Already trailing 1-0 on Rantanen’s early power-play goal, the Blue Jackets took a gut punch right before going to the locker room for the first intermission. As time ticked down toward the end of the first period, Harley got to a loose puck along the boards on the left wing and flipped it to the net while being checked by Cole Sillinger.

Greaves didn’t pick it up until too late and was beaten to the short side with just 0.2 seconds on the clock. It was too much for the offensively-challenged Blue Jackets to overcome. Harley was reportedly part of a trade package the Blue Jackets agreed to take in a summer trade for Zach Werenski, but the Blue Jackets’ star defenseman nixed the deal July 1.

SEVO SNEAKS IN AND PUTS ONE HOME 🚨

CBJ x @FanaticsSportspic.twitter.com/Gn8UClBsGK

— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 1, 2026

Goal of the game

Trailing 2-0 after an apparent goal by Valeri Nichushkin was overturned early in the third on a missed offsides entry, the Blue Jackets’ top defensive pair combined to cut the Stars’ lead to 2-1 on Severson’s goal. Werenski notched his 10th assist of the season by carrying the puck up the left wing and sending his defensive partner a pass that was redirected past Oettinger from the low slot.

Severson’s second goal of the season was also assisted by Kent Johnson, who notched his fifth assist and 12th point in 12 games.

Save of the game

Oettinger came up huge for the Stars with 1:22 left in the first, keeping preserving a 1-0 lead while staring down Zach Werenski with the puck on his stick and nobody defending him in the slot. Werenski fired a shot to the far side, but Oettinger turned it away with his right pad and blocker.

The Stars made a 2-0 1:21 later on Harley’s goal.

Up next

The Blue Jackets open a two-game homestead by hosting the Colorado Avalanche on Nov. 3 at Nationwide Arena. They’ll face the Stars again on Nov. 5 in Columbus to close the two-game season series.

Dispatch Blue Jackets/Crew reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets’ scoring slump continues in loss to Dallas Stars