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.

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 (Confirmed)

Season	W-L-OTL:	GAA:	SV%:	SO:
24/25	39-15-4	2.3	.911	2
23/24	30-20-2	2.9	.900	2

Jake Oettinger (Confirmed)

Season	W-L-OTL:	GAA:	SV%:	SO:
24/25	35-12-6	2.6	.899	4
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

Tackle Tampa Bay Lightning vs Dallas Stars with all the betting insight you need, including our match prediction, scoreline forecast, key player prop selections and a hand-picked 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.

If you’re confident with your Moneyline pick but want more juice from your wager, then a Bet Builder provides the opportunity to add in other selections for a bigger return.

Looking for the best betting promos? Our expert guide includes a wide range of welcome bonuses just for you.

Our Game Prediction

Lightning Moneyline @ -110 Bet Now

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Disclosure: This preview contains affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. T&Cs apply. We only recommend licensed and regulated operators. See our Editorial Policy. Pick odds and lines reflect the price available at the time of publication (Jan 17, 18:56). Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Player Prop Picks

Top Pick: Nikita Kucherov To Score +140

Nikita Kucherov (Lightning) has found the net in 8 of the past 10 games. Based on the stats, we are happy to back the +140 when it comes to him finding the net on the Anytime Goalscorer market.

Pick odds and lines correct at publication. Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. T&Cs apply. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Correct Score Prediction

Lightning 4 - 2 Stars

We’re predicting the Lightning to land a 4-2 victory and this is available at +1500. 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

+4500

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

+4500

4-1

Lightning

+1600

Stars

+1700

4-2

Lightning

+1500

Stars

+1600

4-3

Lightning

+1000

Stars

+1050

5-0

Lightning

+7000

Stars

+8000

5-1

Lightning

+2500

Stars

+2800

5-2

Lightning

+1700

Stars

+1800

5-3

Lightning

+2200

Stars

+2400

5-4

Lightning

+2000

Stars

+2000

6-0

Lightning

+11000

Stars

+12000

6-1

Lightning

+6000

Stars

+6600

6-2

Lightning

+3000

Stars

+3500

6-3

Lightning

+2900

Stars

+3300

6-4

Lightning

+4500

Stars

+5000

6-5

Lightning

+5000

Stars

+5000

7-1

Lightning

+10000

Stars

+11000

7-2

Lightning

+8000

Stars

+9000

7-3

Lightning

+5500

Stars

+6600

7-4

Lightning

+6600

Stars

+7000

7-5

Lightning

+10000

Stars

+11000

7-6

Lightning

+11000

Stars

+12000

8-2

Lightning

+13000

Stars

+13000

8-3

Lightning

+13000

Stars

+14000

8-4

Lightning

+12000

Stars

+12500

8-5

Lightning

+14000

Stars

+14000

View More

Pick odds and lines correct at publication. Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. T&Cs apply. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Dallas Stars Odds

The odds and lines below are updated regularly and may differ from the prices shown in our picks, which are captured at the time of publication.

There are betting odds of +105 that Dallas Stars land victory, with Tampa Bay Lightning alternatively at -127. The hosts have a 49% chance of victory in the eyes of the leading sportsbooks.

There is a puck line of 1.5 and total goals has a line of 5.5. A Totals bet relates to the number of goals that will be scored overall. If you’re going for Over 5.5, then the odds are -141.

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

-127

Stars

+105

3-Way Moneyline

Lightning

+138

Tie

+310

Stars

+155

Puck Line

Lightning -1.5

+190

Stars +1.5

-233

Total Goals

Under 5.5

+114

Over 5.5

-141

Prop bets don’t involve betting on a team to win and instead might look at a player’s individual performance. For example, the number of Goals they might score or the number of Assists or Points they might have.

Micro betting is something that’s really popular with bettors, with NHL fans essentially being able to bet in-game when it comes to team and player props. Sometimes these are lines where you can wager on Shots or Goals.

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

Injuries & Suspensions

Starting Lineups

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