Daniil Tarasov made his NHL debut for the Columbus Blue Jackets Thursday night but came up just short 3-2 against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center.

The news that Tarasov would make the start came hours before puck drop after it was announced both Elvis Merzlikins and Joonas Korpisalo were ill (non-Covid related).

The Blue Jackets have now dropped three in a row for the first time this season, whereas the red-hot Stars have won six straight. Stars' goaltender Jake Oettinger (20 saves on 22 shots) improves to 6-0-1 in seven career starts against the Blue Jackets and is 5-0-0 on the season.

Daniil Tarasov Impresses

Though he came up short, Tarasov was awesome for the Blue Jackets in his debut stopping 34 of 37 shots. Jason Robertson scored twice on the rookie, including the first goal of the game at 1:08 of the first period. But how about this stat below:

Tarasov was able to ease into the rest of the frame as he made five saves on six shots, and the defense was trying to do their part to help out their young goaltender.

BOOOONE

Boone Jenner did his part to put the Blue Jackets on his back tonight, starting with his team-leading 11th goal and the nifty deke to finish the breakaway chance. For the night, he had two shots (21:48 ice time) and won 11 of 21 face-offs (52.4%).

As Jenner alluded to during the first period intermission, the Blue Jackets wanted to get back to their gameplan and dictate the pace of play. They did a better job of that during the game but they still need to get their offense going.

The power play wasn't able to convert on two chances but Jenner came close.

Close But No Cigar

In order to right the ship and stop the bleeding, the Blue Jackets need to get back to doing the things that have made them successful for much of the season.

The first period displayed those good things, namely playing fast and on their toes. 

They also kept that intensity up into the second period and were rewarded by Alexandre Texier's goal at 1:25 into the middle frame.

But the tide changed midway through the second period.

As Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre talked about during the second period intermission, the momentum went the other way following Jamie Benn's big hit on Jake Voracek, and the Stars scored two goals 49 seconds apart soon after. 

Tyler Seguin scored a goal off a deflection (16:25) and Robertson netted his second go-ahead goal (17:14) for the eventual game-winner.

Capital Revenge

The Blue Jackets will travel to Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. to take on the Washington Capitals Saturday at 7:00 pm ET. Columbus lost to the Capitals 4-3 on Nov. 12 at Nationwide Arena. The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Capitals 4-3 in a shootout Thursday in D.C.