Lightning defeat the Stars 4-1

Sunday January 18th, 2026 the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Dallas Stars in Dallas. The Lightning faced early adversity 4 minutes into this game on a goal from the Dallas Stars, but won this game 4-1.

The Lightning had a rough start to this contest in the 1st period of regulation. There was a couple of goals scored in the opening period of this game by both teams.

Oskar Bäck opened up the scoring for the Dallas Stars with 16:00 minutes remaining in the period. Bäck scored his 4th goal of the season assisted by Nils Lundkvist, and Mavrik Bourque. The Lightning would respond with a goal of their own coming from Dominic James. James would also net his 4th goal of the season with 11:56 remaining in the period. James would get assists from Jake Guentzel and Charle-Edourard D’Astous.

At the end of the 1st period , the Stars dominated in all areas of the game. The Stars led in shots department 9-5 to open the hockey game. The Stars also led the period in faceoff percentage and hits to open up the contest.

1st period stats via real app

The Lightning looked like a much better team in the 2nd period of this game in all areas. The Lightning and Stars were tied 1-1 at the end of the 1st period.

The Lightning would take the lead with a goal from Brandon Hagel who’d score his 23rd of the season assisted by Nikita Kucherov and Darren Raddysh. The Lightning weren’t done on the score sheet, with a goal from Jake Guentzel netting his 21st of the season assisted by Dominic James and Oliver Bjorkstrand. The Lightning took a 3-1 lead into the final period of regulation.

2nd period score Via tblightning on Instagram

The Lightning held a 3-1 lead heading into the final period of regulation. Tampa Bay would add another goal via an empty net goal. Pontus Holmberg scored his 8th goal of the season assisted by Yanni Gourde. The Tampa Bay Lightning defeat the Dallas Stars to improve their record of 30-13-4 on the season.

Final score via @tblightning on Instagram

The 1st star of today’s game is Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Lightning who stopped 19/20 shots .950 save percentage. The 2nd star of the game is Dominic James of the Lightning who had a goal and an assist. As for the 3rd star of the game, Brandon Hagel who scored the game winning goal in the 2nd period.

The Lightning come back home for a game against Macklin Celebrini and the Sa Jose Sharks on Tuesday January 20th at 6:00 pm.