The Tampa Bay Lightning travel to Texas this Sunday for a heavyweight matinee showdown against the Dallas Stars. With both teams sitting near the top of their respective divisions, this January 18, 2026 matchup at the American Airlines Center promises to be a playoff-intensity battle. Whether you are looking to tune in from Florida, Texas, or anywhere in between, we have all the broadcast details you need.
Game Time and TV Channels
- Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026
- Time: 2:00 PM ET (1:00 PM CT)
- Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
- U.S. TV: NHL Network (National)
- Local TV: The Spot (Tampa Bay), Victory+ (Dallas/Streaming)
- Canada TV: Sportsnet, TVA Sports
- Streaming: Victory+ (Free for local Dallas market), ESPN+ (Out-of-market), Sportsnet+ (Canada)
If you are in the Dallas area, catch the game on the Victory+ streaming app. For Lightning faithful, turn your dial to The Spot to see if the Bolts can bounce back on the road.
Lightning vs. Stars Matchup: Records, Injuries, and Key Stats
The Tampa Bay Lightning enter Sunday’s contest with a stellar record of 29-13-4 (62 points), sitting 1st in the Atlantic Division. Despite seeing their massive 11-game winning streak snapped on Friday in a 3-2 shootout loss to the St. Louis Blues, the Bolts are still riding a 12-game point streak. Their offense has been juggernaut-status, averaging 4.4 goals per game over their last stretch.
The Dallas Stars are currently 2nd in the Central Division with a record of 27-12-9 (63 points). However, they have stumbled recently, dropping two straight games, including a tough 2-1 loss to the Utah Mammoth on Thursday. Dallas is just 2-4-2 in January and will be desperate to right the ship at home.
Players to Watch & Injury Report
The star power in this game is undeniable. Tampa Bay is led by Nikita Kucherov, who continues to rack up points with 24 goals and 45 assists (69 points) this season. Keep an eye on Brandon Hagel, who has also been a major contributor with 42 points.
For Dallas, the lineup looks a bit different this year with Mikko Rantanen putting up 44 assists, while Jason Robertson continues to snipe with 27 goals. Young gun Wyatt Johnston is also having a breakout year with 53 points.
Key Injuries: Both teams are banged up.
- Tampa Bay: Missing Brayden Point (IR), Victor Hedman (IR), and Ryan McDonagh (IR).
- Dallas: Missing Miro Heiskanen (Out) and Tyler Seguin (IR).
Game Prediction & Betting Insight: Who Covers the -125 Odds?
The betting markets have the Tampa Bay Lightning as -125 favorites, with the Over/Under set at 6.5 goals.
Personally, I think the line is reacting to Tampa’s incredible offensive form, even with the injuries to Point and Hedman. Dallas has been leaking goals lately (allowing 3.3 per game in January), and without Heiskanen to anchor that blue line, I struggle to see how they contain Kucherov and the Lightning power play. However, Sunday matinees can be sluggish.
That said, my money is on the trend. Tampa Bay is scoring at will, and Dallas is in a slump. I expect a high-scoring affair that clears the Over 6.5. Prediction: Lightning win 5-3.
Around the League & Hockey Pool Updates
If you’re looking to find more Tampa Bay Lightning games on TV today or check the full Dallas Stars TV schedule, check your local listings on The Spot and Victory+. In other NHL news, Connor McDavid is currently pacing the NHL point leaders for the 2025-26 season with over 80 points, but Kucherov is hot on his heels. Don’t forget to join our online hockey pool! We offer cash prizes for weekly winners, and it’s the perfect way to stay engaged with every goal, assist, and save across the league.
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