Tampa Bay Lightning vs Dallas Stars Prediction, Picks & Odds | 18 Jan 2026

NHL Betting Preview: Lightning vs Stars

The Tampa Bay Lightning go up against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center, with face-off scheduled for 14:00 on Sunday, January 18.

We’re eager to back the Lightning to get the better of the Stars and that leads us to the Moneyline for our prediction. It’s difficult to turn down the -110 that the visitors claim the win.

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Tampa Bay Lightning were beaten in their previous game and this was on the road at Enterprise Center. St Louis Blues claimed a 3-2 (SO) win. Nikita Kucherov and Oliver Bjorkstrand scored one goal each.

Dallas Stars have lost three consecutive games at home. In their last appearance, they suffered a 2-1 road defeat against Utah Mammoth at Delta Center. Mikko Rantanen scored the only goal, with Jake Oettinger recording 25 saves (.926).

Head-to-Head Statistics

The Lightning have claimed back-to-back victories over the Stars. At American Airlines Center they won 3-2 (SO) before winning 2-1 (OT) at Benchmark International Arena. The previous 10 H2H meetings have involved the Lightning winning six times.

Starting Goalies

Andrei Vasilevskiy (Expected)

Season	W-L-OTL:	GAA:	SV%:	SO:
24/25	19-7-3	2.3	.914	1
23/24	30-20-2	2.9	.900	2

Jake Oettinger (Confirmed)

Season	W-L-OTL:	GAA:	SV%:	SO:
24/25	17-9-4	2.7	.903	2
23/24	35-14-2	2.72	.905	3

9 wins and 0 overtime loss, averaging 4.3 goals from 26.9 shots on goal, with a 16.1% powerplay efficiency. The Lightning have given up 2.3 goals from 25.3 shots, averaging 7.1 penalties with a penalty-killing efficiency of 91.6%.

Nikita Kucherov is the top points scorer with 24 points, 11 goals and 13 assists, with Darren Raddysh recording 14 points, 4 goals and 10 assists, over the last 10 games. Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy have a 2.08 goal against average with a .915 save percentage.

The Stars have 2 wins, 5 losses and 3 overtime losses, averaging 2.6 goals from 26.1 shots on goal, with a 11.5% powerplay efficiency. They have been conceding 3.3 goals from 27.8 shots, averaging 3.6 penalties per game with a penalty-killing efficiency of 72.2%.

The top points scorer is Mikko Rantanen with 12 points, 5 goals and 7 assists, while Wyatt Johnston is next in line after having 11 points, 5 goals and 6 assists. Goalie Jake Oettinger have a 3.48 GAA with a .872 SV%.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Dallas Stars Prediction & Picks

Get ahead of the game with our Tampa Bay Lightning vs Dallas Stars betting rundown, featuring our trusted match prediction, most likely correct score outcome and a fully loaded bet builder.

Game Prediction

The home team look opposable on the Moneyline, so we’re going to make Tampa Bay Lightning our pick for this NHL encounter. You can currently get -110 for this selection which looks great value.

Our hockey predictions are built after tracking the latest team news and reviewing recent form. We also dive into up-to-date NHL stats, which often serve as a solid barometer for how the action might unfold.

Key Lightning vs Stars stats:

• Lightning have won 9 of their last 10 games.
• Lightning have won 4 of their last 5 games.
• Stars have lost 8 of their last 10 games.
• Stars have lost 11 of their last 20 games.
• Stars have lost their last 3 games at home.
• Stars have lost their last 2 games against Lightning.

Lightning Moneyline Probability

The top betting apps are estimating that there is a 52.4% likelihood of this pick winning. However, our analysts have this figure closer to 60% based on their in-depth research. It is therefore regarded as a value bet.

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Our Game Prediction

Lightning Moneyline @ -110 Watch Live Bet Now

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Gamble responsibly 18+. All odds are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change. To use the Bookmaker Live Streaming services you will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. Geo-restrictions apply.

Correct Score Prediction

Lightning 4 - 2 Stars

We’re predicting the Lightning to land a 4-2 victory and this is available at +1600. The correct score betting option provides plenty of fun and entertainment.

Latest Correct Score Odds

Score

Lightning

Stars

1-0

Lightning

+5000

Stars

+5000

2-0

Lightning

+4500

Stars

+5000

2-1

Lightning

+1400

Stars

+1400

3-0

Lightning

+3300

Stars

+3300

3-1

Lightning

+1800

Stars

+1900

3-2

Lightning

+850

Stars

+850

4-0

Lightning

+4000

Stars

+4000

4-1

Lightning

+1600

Stars

+1600

4-2

Lightning

+1600

Stars

+1600

4-3

Lightning

+1000

Stars

+1000

5-0

Lightning

+7500

Stars

+7500

5-1

Lightning

+2800

Stars

+2500

5-2

Lightning

+1700

Stars

+1700

5-3

Lightning

+2400

Stars

+2200

5-4

Lightning

+2000

Stars

+2000

6-0

Lightning

+11000

Stars

+11000

6-1

Lightning

+6600

Stars

+6000

6-2

Lightning

+3400

Stars

+3300

6-3

Lightning

+3000

Stars

+3000

6-4

Lightning

+5000

Stars

+4500

6-5

Lightning

+5000

Stars

+5000

7-1

Lightning

+11000

Stars

+10000

7-2

Lightning

+9000

Stars

+8000

7-3

Lightning

+6000

Stars

+6000

7-4

Lightning

+7000

Stars

+6600

7-5

Lightning

+11000

Stars

+10000

7-6

Lightning

+12000

Stars

+12000

8-2

Lightning

+12000

Stars

+14000

8-3

Lightning

+12000

Stars

+14000

8-4

Lightning

+12500

Stars

+12000

8-5

Lightning

+12500

Stars

+14000

View More

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Dallas Stars Odds

The odds and lines are updated on a frequent basis. You might therefore find that they are different to the ones listed for the above betting predictions.

The sportsbooks can’t decide whether Dallas Stars or Tampa Bay Lightning are more likely to prosper. They have Moneyline odds of -110 about both teams and that means they theoretically have the same percentage chance of winning.

There is a puck line of 1.5 and total goals has a line of 6.5. A Totals bet relates to the number of goals that will be scored overall. If you’re going for Over 6.5, then the odds are +114.

Before placing your bet, explore the top NHL sportsbooks for a wide selection of game lines and team props. Compare the lines and betting odds to find the most appealing options.

Moneyline

Lightning

-110

Stars

-110

3-Way Moneyline

Lightning

+150

Tie

+310

Stars

+145

Puck Line

Lightning +1.5

-278

Stars -1.5

+220

Total Goals

Under 6.5

-141

Over 6.5

+114

Latest regular season and playoff games stats.

Tampa Bay Lightning Stats

Dallas Stars Stats

Moneyline

• 9 wins and 1 defeat in the last 10 games
• 8 wins and 2 defeats in the last 10 games on the road

Moneyline

• 2 wins and 8 defeats in the last 10 games
• 6 wins and 4 defeats in the last 10 home games

Puck Line

• +1.5 Betting Line: Have covered the +1.5 puck line in the last 10 games
• +1.5 Betting Line on the Road: Have covered the +1.5 puck line in the last 10 games on the road

Puck Line

• -1.5 Betting Line: Have covered the -1.5 puck line in 2 of the last 10 games
• -1.5 Betting Line at Home: Have covered the -1.5 puck line in 4 of the last 10 home games

Total Goals

• Game Totals: An average of 6.90 goals in the previous 10 games
• Game Totals on the Road: An average of 7.10 goals in the previous 10 games on the road
• Over 6.5: Covered in 5 of the previous 10 games
• Over 6.5 on the Road: Covered in 5 of the previous 10 games on the road
• Team Totals: Have scored an average of 4.50 goals and allowed 2.40 goals in the last 10 games
• Team Totals on the Road: Have scored an average of 4.60 pts and allowed 2.50 goals in the last 10 games on the road

Total Goals

• Game Totals: An average of 6.00 goals in the previous 10 games
• Game Totals at Home: An average of 5.80 goals in the previous 10 home games
• Over 6.5: Covered in 5 of the previous 10 games
• Over 6.5 at Home: Covered in 4 of the previous 10 home games
• Team Totals: Have scored an average of 2.60 goals and allowed 3.40 goals in the last 10 games
• Team Totals at Home: Have scored an average of 3.30 goals and allowed 2.50 goals in the last 10 home games

Team Stats - Avg/Game

Last 10 Games

• Goals Powerplay: 1
• Shots: 26.9
• Goals Shorthanded: 0.1
• Penalties: 7.1
• Empty Net Goals: 0.3
• Penalty Minutes: 22.9
• Blocks: 13
• Faceoff Wins : 21.6
• Hits: 17.4
• Giveaways: 14.4
• Takeaways: 4.1

Last 10 Games on the Road

• Goals Powerplay: 1.2
• Shots: 28.9
• Goals Shorthanded: 0.1
• Penalties: 6.9
• Empty Net Goals: 0.2
• Penalty Minutes: 21.7
• Blocks: 13.3
• Faceoff Wins : 24.6
• Hits: 17.8
• Giveaways: 12.9
• Takeaways: 4.1

Team Stats - Avg/Game

Last 10 Games

• Goals Powerplay: 0.3
• Shots: 26.1
• Goals Shorthanded: 0.1
• Penalties: 3.6
• Empty Net Goals: 0.1
• Penalty Minutes: 7.5
• Blocks: 10.8
• Faceoff Wins : 20.2
• Hits: 18.6
• Giveaways: 15.6
• Takeaways: 4.6

Last 10 Home Games

• Goals Powerplay: 0.5
• Shots: 25.1
• Goals Shorthanded: 0
• Penalties: 3.6
• Empty Net Goals: 0.3
• Penalty Minutes: 8.5
• Blocks: 11.9
• Faceoff Wins : 25.7
• Hits: 16.3
• Giveaways: 14.8
• Takeaways: 5.4

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Injuries & Suspensions

Starting Lineups

Both teams’ confirmed lineups will be published ahead of face-off. There is also the chance to look at the lineups from the previous 10 games.

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