Blue Jackets 2, Stars 1
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Vinny Prospal's goal early in the third period Monday sent the Blue Jackets to a 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars, snapping Columbus' four-game losing streak.
At 1:22 of the third, Prospal buried an odd-angle shot through a screen set by Blue Jackets center Ryan Johansen. Given his lack of reaction, it didn't appear that Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen ever saw the puck.
It was Prospal's club-high second goal of the season.
Derek Dorsett also scored for the Blue Jackets (2-3-1), who won for the first time this season in Nationwide Arena. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who hadn't won since an opening-night shootout win in Nashville, made 24 saves.
The only Dallas goal was scored on the power play by defenseman Philip Larsen early in the second period.
The game ended on an ugly note.
Dallas forward Jamie Benn, making his season debut after signing a contract over the weekend, crosschecked Blue Jackets defenseman Fedor Tyutin into the boards in the closing seconds. The hit could be reviewed by the NHL.
Blue Jackets defenseman Nikita Nikitin immediately rose to Tyutin's defense, hammering Benn from behind and nearly sparking a skirmish. Nikitin received a two-minute roughing penalty, while Benn was penalized two minutes for roughing and two minutes for boarding.
The game started slowly for Columbus, which was outshot 9-3 in the first period despite having three power plays. The Jackets came up empty in a two-minute, 5-on-3 early in the second period, but they finally drew even with 2:03 left in the second period.
Dorsett one-timed a drop pass from Tyutin, scoring his first goal of the season.
The Stars, who killed all seven of the Blue Jackets' power plays, took a 1-0 lead when Larsen scored on the power only 4:13 into the second period.
Lehtonen had 25 saves. His best came 24 seconds into the second period when a slap shot from Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson went in and out of his glove. In a flash, Lehtonen reached behind him and snared the puck before it crossed the goal line.
NOTES: Benn, a restricted free agent, signed a five-year, $26.5 million contract on Saturday. However, it wasn't until Monday afternoon that the Canadian-born Benn's work permit was approved by U.S. immigration, allowing him to play. He had one assist, two shots on goal and game-high 12 faceoff wins. ... The Blue Jackets didn't register their first shot on goal until 13:49 into the first period. ... Dallas winger Jaromir Jagr (back) was back in the lineup after missing one game. ... Blue Jackets winger Colton Gillies made his season debut. He had missed the first five games as a healthy scratch. ... The Blue Jackets placed right winger Cam Atkinson on injured reserve, retroactive to Jan. 23, due to a groin injury.
