National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Columbus 3, Dallas 1
When: 8:30 PM ET, Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
Referees: Steve Kozari, Chris Rooney
Linesmen: Darren Gibbs, Andy McElman
Attendance: 16125

Blue Jackets 3, Stars 1: Mark Letestu extended his goal-scoring streak to three games with a power-play tally as visiting Columbus clinched the second postseason berth in franchise history in a game rescheduled from March 10.

Artem Anisimov also tallied and Sergei Bobrovsky made 33 saves for the Blue Jackets, who became the final team to secure a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Columbus is even in points with Detroit - which clinched earlier Wednesday - for the wild cards in the Eastern Conference and Philadelphia for third place in the Metropolitan Division but has played one more game than the Flyers.

Defenseman Trevor Daley scored the lone goal and Tim Thomas stopped 23 shots for the Stars, who remained two points ahead of Phoenix for the second wild card in the West. Dallas elected not to resume play in last month's contest after center Rich Peverley collapsed on the bench due to a cardiac event less than 6 1/2 minutes into the opening period.

Already owning a 1-0 lead by virtue of Nathan Horton's power-play goal on March 10, Columbus doubled it 1:33 into the first period as Anisimov gathered a loose puck in the right faceoff circle that bounced off the glass and skated in front before tucking it around Thomas. Letestu made it 3-0 with 6:33 left in the session, when his pass attempt from below the end line caromed off the goaltender and in.

Desperate for offense, Dallas pulled Thomas for an extra attacker during a power play with over 12 minutes left in the third, and the move paid off as Daley banged in a loose puck after captain Jamie Benn's shot rang off the left post. The Stars played the majority of the final five minutes with their net empty but were unable to cash in again.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The teams played a full 60 minutes despite the fact the March 10 contest was postponed with 6:23 expired in the first period. ... Washington and New Jersey both were eliminated from postseason contention following the win by the Blue Jackets, who trail the New York Rangers by two points for second place in the Metropolitan. ... The Stars were called for three minor penalties - all on C Shawn Horcoff, whose four-minute infraction for high-sticking helped set up Columbus' third goal. ... . ... Bobrovsky improved to 6-0-1 lifetime against the Stars.
Top Game Performances
 
Columbus   Dallas
Artem Anisimov 1 Points Trevor Daley 1
Artem Anisimov 1 Goals Trevor Daley 1
Matt Calvert 1 Assists Jamie Benn 1
Mark Letestu 1 Power Play Goals Trevor Daley 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Sergei Bobrovsky .971 Save Percentage Tim Thomas .920
Sergei Bobrovsky 33 Saves Tim Thomas 23
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Columbus 25 3 1-3 3-4 8 26
Dallas 34 1 1-4 2-3 6 30
Upcoming Games
  • Dallas will play their next game at home against St. Louis. The Stars have a W/L % of .385 after a win and .575 after a loss.
  • Columbus will play their next game on the road against Tampa Bay. The Blue Jackets have a W/L % of .500 after a win and .538 after a loss.