Stars GameDay: First meets worst in NHL matchup

Stars at Blue Jackets

6 p.m. Tuesday, Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio

TV: FSSW Radio: KTCK/1310 AM and 96.7 FM

Records: Stars 27-7-3, 57 points; Blue Jackets 13-22-3, 29 pts.

About the Stars: Their 57 points are the most in the NHL while Columbus’ 29 points are the league’s fewest. Tyler Seguin scored twice in a 5-1 win over the Blue Jackets two weeks ago in Dallas. Goalie Antti Niemi was named the NHL’s second star after going 2-0-1 with a 1.02 goals-against average and a shutout for the week. The Stars are the top scoring team in the NHL (3.46 goals per game) and rank ninth is goals against (2.41), an improvement from last season’s 26th spot. Dallas has earned at least a point in five straight games.

About the Blue Jackets: They will be glad to see December end, having gone 3-7-3 in the month, including 1-1-3 at home. Columbus lost its first eight games this season and has played nearly .500 since bringing in coach John Tortorella in late October. The leading goal scorers are Scott Hartnell (14), Brandon Saad (13) and Boone Jenner (13) with Ryan Johansen topping the Jackets in assists (18). Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is 11-12-1 this season with a 2.52 goals-against average but hasn’t played since Dec. 8 because of a groin injury.

This story was originally published December 28, 2015 at 5:49 PM with the headline "Stars GameDay: First meets worst in NHL matchup."