You're probably itching for that next victory green fix. After that tough 2-1 loss to the Utah Mammoth on Thursday, everyone's asking the same thing: when do the Dallas Stars play next? Honestly, the schedule makers gave them a tiny breather, but things are about to get frantic again at the American Airlines Center.
The Stars officially return to the ice this Sunday, January 18, 2026.
They're hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning. Puck drop is set for 1:00 PM CST.
It’s an afternoon game, so basically, you can have your hockey and still be home for dinner. The Stars are sitting at 27-11-9 right now. They're second in the Central Division, but with the Colorado Avalanche pulling ahead with 74 points, every single game in this January stretch feels like a playoff battle.
💡 You might also like: What Channel is Champions League on: Where to Watch Every Game in 2026
Getting Into the Nitty Gritty of the Next Few Games
If you can't make it to the AAC on Sunday, don't worry. The schedule stays pretty busy.
After Tampa, the Boston Bruins roll into town on Tuesday, Jan 20. That one’s a 6:30 PM start. It’s being broadcast on TNT, which usually means the national crew will be talking about Jason Robertson’s scoring streak or how Jake Oettinger is holding up after a few "hard-luck" losses lately.
The Upcoming 10-Day Outlook
- Jan 18 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning: 1:00 PM (Home)
- Jan 20 vs. Boston Bruins: 6:30 PM (Home)
- Jan 22 at Columbus Blue Jackets: 7:00 PM (Away)
- Jan 23 vs. St. Louis Blues: 7:00 PM (Home)
- Jan 27 at St. Louis Blues: 7:00 PM (Away)
See that Jan 23 and Jan 27 situation? It's a classic home-and-home series against the Blues. Those games are always physical, sort of like a mini-playoff series in the middle of winter. If you're planning on watching, most of these regional games are on Victory+ or the Ticket 96.7-FM if you're stuck in traffic.
📖 Related: Eastern Conference Finals 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
What’s Actually Happening with the Roster?
You might have noticed Miro Heiskanen has been missing. He’s been out for personal reasons, missing the last couple of games. Getting him back is huge because, let’s be real, the defense just looks different when #4 isn't eating up 25 minutes of ice time.
Then there’s Mikko Rantanen. The guy has been a beast. He’s up to 63 points in 47 games. He just scored that power-play goal against Utah, but it wasn't enough to overcome a weird bounce and a late goal by the Mammoth.
Jake Oettinger is still the man in the crease, despite some recent struggles. He stopped 25 of 27 the other night. He’s looking better, more like the "Otter" we know, but the team needs to give him some goal support. Scoring one goal isn't going to cut it against teams like Tampa or Boston.
👉 See also: Texas vs Oklahoma Football Game: Why the Red River Rivalry is Getting Even Weirder
Watching the Standings (It’s Getting Tense)
The Central Division is a meat grinder. Colorado is currently the king of the hill, but Dallas is fending off the Minnesota Wild and a surprisingly scrappy Utah team.
Basically, the Stars have played 47 games. They have 63 points. They’ve been much better on the road (15-4-6) than at home (12-6-3), which is kind of weird if you think about it. Usually, you want the AAC to be a fortress. This upcoming home stand against Tampa and Boston is a massive opportunity to flip that script.
If you’re looking for tickets, SeatGeek and Ticketmaster have them, but they aren't exactly cheap for the big-market teams. You're looking at around $90-95 for the Lightning game, but if you’re willing to travel to Columbus on the 22nd, you can snag seats for like 15 bucks. Road trip, anyone?
Actionable Steps for Stars Fans
Don't miss the next puck drop. Here is exactly what you should do to stay ready:
- Sync your calendar: Set an alert for Sunday at 1:00 PM. Afternoon games are notorious for catching fans off guard.
- Check the injury report: Keep an eye on the status of Miro Heiskanen. If he's back in the lineup Sunday, the Stars' odds of stifling the Lightning's offense go up significantly.
- Tune into Victory+: If you're in the local market, make sure your app is updated. That's where you'll catch the majority of the non-national broadcasts.
- Watch the Power Play: Keep an eye on Rantanen and Johnston. The Stars’ power play is clicking at over 28%, which is elite. If they get chances against Tampa, they have to convert.
The season is in that "grind" phase. The excitement of the opener is gone, and the desperation of the playoff race hasn't fully set in yet. But for the Stars, these points in January are what keep you from having to play a Game 7 on the road in May. Get to the AAC or get to a TV—the Lightning game is going to be a heavy one.