Tampa Bay Lightning vs Dallas Stars Prediction, 1/18/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Dallas Stars

Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026

Location: American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX

TV: Victory+

The Tampa Bay Lightning (29-13-3) are traveling to American Airlines Center on Sunday where they will meet the Dallas Stars (27-12-9).

The Tampa Bay Lightning had a decent effort after finishing in a 1-1 tie against the Penguins in their previous contest . The Lightning had a below average offensive performance in this game. In the game, they scored on 1 of the 31 shots they put on net. Moreover, they had 3 power play tries but weren't able to score a goal. Tampa Bay garnered 33 minutes in the box in this game.

Tampa Bay Lightning opponents have earned 147 power play tries (9th in pro hockey) and have racked up 24 goals in those chances. The Lightning thus far have had 1,190 shots attempted against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .903. Tampa Bay has taken 1,230 shots and holds a shot percentage of 12.9%. When playing at even strength, the Lightning have surrendered 91 goals while scoring 129 on the offensive side of the ice. Tampa Bay has compiled 144 power play chances and they have added 29 goals out of those tries, garnering them a percentage of 20.14%. For the season, the have a total of 61 points and their points percentage is sitting at .678. Pertaining to their scoring, the Tampa Bay Lightning have notched 158 goals (5th in the NHL) on the season and have surrendered 115.

The player in the crease for this game is Andrei Vasilevskiy. Opponents have been able to score 1,398 goals versus Vasilevskiy in his pro career and his goals against rate is 2.51. Vasilevskiy has been involved in 568 contests during his NHL career. His save percentage sits at .917 for his 28,689 minutes guarding the cage. He has accumulated an overall record of 350-170-37 and he has gotten the start in 558 games. Over the course of his pro career, Vasilevskiy has accumulated 326 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .584. Vasilevskiy has seen 16,838 shots taken against him and has garnered 15,440 total saves.

When they took the ice last, Dallas went up against the Mammoth in a matchup where the Stars ended up taking the loss by a final of 2-1. They had 2 opportunities on the power play in this game and scored 1 out of those chances. The Stars scored 1 goal of the 27 shots on goal they attempted.

Dallas has attempted 1,214 shots (26th in professional hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 13.10%, while allowing their opponents 1,338 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 79.74% on the other teams 153 power play tries, and their save percentage comes in at 90.1%. They have earned 139 power play opportunities and they have accumulated a power play rate of 28.78%. The Stars have accumulated 119 goals at even strength and 40 goals (2nd in the NHL) while on the power play. They have granted a total of 132 goals to be scored by way of 101 goals at even strength and 31 goals while they were shorthanded. So far this season, the Dallas Stars have notched a total of 159 goals, 63 points, in addition to a points percentage of .656.

On the other side of the ice you are going to see Jake Oettinger defending the goal. He has recorded 7,031 stops out of 7,718 shots attempted against him, which gives him a save % of .911. Oettinger has accrued a lifetime record of 166-75-31 and has played in 281 games. He has been a starter 272 games and has played for a total of 13,377 mins. Oettinger's rate of quality starts sits at 59.2% and he has accumulated 161 quality starting assignments in his pro career. His opponents are averaging 2.53 goals per contest and he has allowed 687 goals altogether.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Tampa Bay

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