If you're refreshing your feed looking for the Dallas Stars game tonight, you might want to put the phone down for a second and grab some coffee instead. Honestly, there isn't one. The Stars are currently in the middle of a rare two-day breather following a rough road trip through the Mountain Time Zone, with their next battle not hitting the ice until Sunday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
It’s a bit of a weird lull in what has been a chaotic January. You’ve probably noticed the team looking a little "heavy-legged" lately. That’s because they’ve been grinding through a schedule that feels like it was designed by someone who hates sleep. They just wrapped up a game against the Utah Mammoth on Thursday, a tight 2-1 loss where they looked dominant at times but just couldn't find the back of the net when it mattered most.
Where did the Dallas Stars game tonight go?
The NHL schedule is a fickle beast. While there are 13 games across the league on this Saturday, January 17, 2026, the Stars are one of the few teams sitting out. This gap is actually a godsend for a roster that’s been held together by athletic tape and grit over the last fortnight.
Coming off that Utah loss, head coach Glen Gulutzan—who took over the reins this season—is likely using this Saturday for a "reset" practice. The Stars are currently sitting at 27-12-9. That’s 63 points, which keeps them neck-and-neck with the Minnesota Wild for the second spot in the Central Division. But let’s be real: they’ve been stumbling. They are 1-3-2 in their last few outings, and that high-octane offense we saw in November has cooled off considerably.
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The Miro Heiskanen Situation
One major reason for the "missing" momentum is the absence of Miro Heiskanen. He missed the last couple of games due to a personal matter. The good news? He was back at practice this morning. The team expects him back in the lineup for the Sunday matinee.
When Miro is out, everything breaks. He leads the team in ice time, averaging over 26 minutes a night. Without him, Thomas Harley and Esa Lindell have to eat up massive minutes, and you can see the fatigue setting in by the third period. Having him back for the Tampa game is basically like adding a fresh engine to a car that’s been sputtering on three cylinders.
Looking ahead to the Sunday Matinee
Since there is no Dallas Stars game tonight, all eyes are on tomorrow, January 18. It’s a 1:00 PM CST puck drop at the American Airlines Center. Here’s the deal: Tampa Bay is coming in hot. They’re 29-13-4 and Nikita Kucherov is doing Nikita Kucherov things, leading the league in scoring.
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Dallas hasn't played the Lightning since a 2-1 overtime loss way back in October. This game is a measuring stick. Can the Stars’ defense, which ranks 5th in the league for goals-against average, handle a Lightning power play that’s currently clicking at an absurd rate?
Jake Oettinger is the projected starter for tomorrow. "Otter" has had a bit of a rollercoaster January. He’s 17-9-4 on the season, but his save percentage has dipped slightly to .903. He needs a "statement game" to silence the critics who think the heavy workload is starting to catch up to him.
Roster moves and injury updates
It’s not just Miro coming back. The Stars are still dealing with some long-term holes.
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- Tyler Seguin is still out indefinitely following ACL surgery. The team won't even evaluate his return timetable until after the Olympic break in February.
- Lian Bichsel, the hulking young defenseman, is on IR with a lower-body injury. He’s targeting a February return.
- Wyatt Johnston is basically carrying the offensive load right now. He’s got 25 goals and 53 points, leading the team. The kid is 22 and playing like a ten-year vet.
Actionable steps for Stars fans
Even though there isn't a game to watch tonight, you can still prep for the Sunday tilt.
First, check your local listings for Victory+. Since the team moved away from the traditional cable model, a lot of fans are still getting used to the streaming setup. Make sure your app is updated tonight so you aren't scrambling at 12:55 PM tomorrow.
Second, if you’re looking for tickets, prices for the Tampa game are hovering around $95 for the terrace level. Sunday afternoon games in Dallas usually sell out fast because of the family-friendly start time, so don't wait until tomorrow morning to browse SeatGeek or Ticketmaster.
Lastly, keep an eye on the waiver wire if you're a fantasy hockey manager. With Heiskanen returning, some of the peripheral Stars defensemen like Kyle Capobianco might see their power-play time vanish. Now is the time to sell high on those temporary replacements before their value plummets.
The Stars might be quiet tonight, but the American Airlines Center is going to be rocking tomorrow. Use tonight to catch up on the rest of the league—maybe scout the Bruins or the Blues, who are both on the schedule later next week—and get ready for a heavy-weight battle on Sunday afternoon.