Honestly, it's a huge day for hockey in Texas. If you're looking for what time do the dallas stars play today, you’ve got to clear your afternoon schedule because this isn't your typical late-night puck drop. The Dallas Stars are hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning at the American Airlines Center today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, and it’s a matinee special.
The puck drops at 1:00 PM CST (2:00 PM ET).
This is one of those rare "heavyweight" matchups that actually lives up to the billing. We’re talking about the second-place team in the Western Conference taking on the top seed in the East. It’s basically a potential Stanley Cup preview being served up with lunch.
Where to Watch and What to Expect Today
If you aren't heading down to Victory Park to battle for parking, you've got a few ways to catch the action. The game is being broadcast nationally on NHL Network. For the local folks in North Texas, you can usually find the stream on Victory+, which has been a total game-changer for fans tired of the old regional sports network headaches.
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- TV Coverage: NHL Network (National), Sportsnet, and TVA Sports (Canada)
- Streaming: Victory+, Fubo (regional restrictions apply)
- Radio: 97.1 The Freak (The Stars Radio Network)
The vibe at the AAC for afternoon games is always a little different. It’s less "corporate happy hour" and a lot more family-heavy, which usually means the energy in the building starts high right from the national anthem.
Why This Specific Matchup Is a Big Deal
Look at the standings. Seriously. Dallas is sitting at 27-12-9 with 63 points. They’ve been an absolute wagon this season, led by Mikko Rantanen—who, let’s be real, has been a terrifying addition to this roster—and the perennial reliability of Jason Robertson.
On the other side, Tampa Bay is leading the Atlantic with 62 points. Nikita Kucherov is doing Kucherov things, currently sitting on 69 points. The guy is averaging 1.5 points per game. It’s ridiculous.
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The goaltending matchup is the real "chess match" here. You’ve got Jake Oettinger (17-9-4) likely going head-to-head with Andrei Vasilevskiy. Vasilevskiy has been a wall lately with a .915 save percentage. If "Otter" isn't locked in early, Tampa’s power play—which has been clicking at over 32% in their last ten games—could make for a very long afternoon.
A Few Things Fans Might Get Wrong
Most people assume that because it’s a Sunday afternoon game, the intensity might be lower. Wrong. This is the two-week countdown before Tampa Bay heads to the Stadium Series at Raymond James Stadium, and they are playing like a team that wants to stay at the top of the Eastern Conference.
Also, don't let the Stars' recent overtime record (4-9-13) scare you too much. While they've struggled to finish games in the extra frame, their ability to consistently pick up points is why they are breathing down the neck of the top spot in the West. They are 24-4-5 when they score at least three goals. Basically, if they can get three past Vasilevskiy, the math says they probably walk away with the "W."
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How to Get to the American Airlines Center
If you are actually going to the game, give yourself more time than usual. Sunday downtown traffic is sneaky.
- DART Rail: The Green or Orange line to Victory Station is the move. It drops you literally at the front door.
- Parking: Lexus and Comerica garages are the go-tos, but they’ll cost you. If you don't mind a five-minute walk, there are cheaper lots across Woodall Rodgers.
- Entry: Remember, the AAC has a strict "no re-entry" policy and a bag policy that catches people off guard every single time. Keep it small.
Final Game Day Tips
Keep an eye on the morning skate reports. Lineups have been a bit fluid lately, but the core of Rantanen, Robertson, and Wyatt Johnston is expected to lead the charge. Johnston has been a quiet assassin this year with 53 points, and his chemistry with Robertson is the engine of this offense.
Make sure your streaming apps are updated if you're watching on Victory+. There is nothing worse than the "Update Required" spinning wheel of death right as the puck is about to drop.
Next Steps for Today's Game:
Check your local listings to confirm the NHL Network feed isn't blacked out in your area, and if you're a betting person, the moneyline is hovering around -110 for both sides—it's as close to a toss-up as it gets.