EditorsNote: Slight tweaks in sixth and seventh grafs; a few other minor changes
Zach Werenski and Alexander Wennberg each had first-period goals, and the host Columbus Blue Jackets added to the Dallas Stars' early-season misery with a 3-2 victory on Wednesday night.
Sonny Milano added a highlight-reel, third-period goal, and Joonas Korpisalo stopped 30 shots as Columbus posted back-to-back wins for the first time on the young season. The Blue Jackets also extended their winning streak over Dallas to eight games.
The Stars fell to 1-6-1 and continue to struggle on the offensive end of the ice. Miro Heiskanen scored near the end of the first period, and Joe Pavelski finally got his first goal with Dallas, which has totaled just 15 goals and is a paltry 1-for-24 on the power play.
Werenski got the Blue Jackets on the scoresheet with his second goal of the season 7:42 into the first period. The Blue Jackets had some solid looks at Dallas goaltender Ben Bishop (32 saves), but it was finally Werenski who blistered a shot alone from the slot and inside the right post.
Wennberg then made it 2-0 with 4:59 left in the first with a blast of his own past Bishop. It was the first goal of the season for Wennberg, who had just two all of last season.
The Stars got a goal back with 1:52 to go in the opening period. Heiskanen sent home a pass from Alexander Radulov in the left slot on a delayed penalty to make it 2-1 heading into the first intermission.
Following a scoreless second period, both clubs had quality chances in the third. Milano, though, got behind the Stars' defense and, while streaking in, flipped the puck from between his legs and past the blocker of Bishop with 10:53 left in regulation to make it 3-1.
Pavelski, one of Dallas' notable offseason acquisitions, made it a one-goal game by scoring with 4.5 seconds left in the contest.
Veteran forward Corey Perry made his debut with the Stars on Wednesday. The longtime member of the Anaheim Ducks was recovering from a broken foot.
--Field Level Media
