The Tampa Bay Lightning extended their point streak to 13 games with a dominant 4-1 win over the Dallas Stars. Read our full recap on Jake Guentzel’s big night and Andrei Vasilevskiy’s historic 20th win of the season.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are officially the hottest team in hockey right now. On Sunday night in Dallas, they didn’t just win; they controlled the tempo and showed why they are the team to beat in 2026. This latest victory over the Stars proves that Tampa Bay has found a winning formula that isn’t breaking anytime soon.
Game Recap: Lightning vs. Stars at a Glance
| Category | Details |
| Final Score | Tampa Bay 4, Dallas 1 |
| Lightning Point Streak | 13 Games (12-0-1) |
| Top Performer | Jake Guentzel (1 Goal, 1 Assist) |
| Goaltending | Andrei Vasilevskiy (19 Saves, 20th Win) |
| Stars Form | 1-3-1 in last five games |
How the Lightning Extended the Streak to 13 Games
Walking into the American Airlines Center is never easy, especially against a powerhouse like Dallas. However, the Tampa Bay Lightning looked unfazed even after falling behind early. The Stars took a 1-0 lead just four minutes into the game thanks to Oskar Back, but the response from the Bolts was immediate and clinical.
Dominic James leveled the score only four minutes later, finishing a beautiful 3-on-2 rush orchestrated by Jake Guentzel. From that point on, the Tampa Bay Lightning leaned on their structure. They didn’t panic; they simply tightened their defensive play and waited for Dallas to make a mistake. By the time Brandon Hagel tucked in a rebound in the second period, the momentum had completely shifted in favor of the visitors.
Jake Guentzel and Dominic James Lead the Charge
The chemistry between Jake Guentzel and Dominic James was the story of the night. Both players finished with a goal and an assist, providing the offensive spark the team needed on the road. Guentzel, in particular, showed why he was such a massive offseason acquisition for the Tampa Bay Lightning. His ability to find soft spots in the defense and capitalize on rebounds—like his backhand goal that made it 3-1—has been vital during this 13-game run.
Coach Jon Cooper praised the “compete level” of his bottom-six forwards, noting that players like James are getting into the “rough areas” to win battles. When a team as talented as the Tampa Bay Lightning adds that level of grit to their skill, they become nearly impossible to beat.
Vasilevskiy Makes History Again
While the offense gets the headlines, the backbone of the Tampa Bay Lightning remains Andrei Vasilevskiy. With 19 saves on Sunday, Vasilevskiy became just the second goaltender in the NHL to reach 20 wins this season.
Even more impressive? This marks the 10th consecutive season where Vasilevskiy has reached the 20-win plateau. His consistency is unparalleled in the modern era. Even when the Stars tried to press late in the third period, “The Big Cat” remained calm, swallowed up rebounds, and ensured the Tampa Bay Lightning walked away with two points.
The Struggles Continue for the Dallas Stars
On the flip side, the Dallas Stars are searching for answers. Since the Christmas break, they’ve struggled to find consistency, going just 2-6-3 in that span. Coach Glen Gulutzan didn’t mince words after the game, suggesting that the Tampa Bay Lightning simply “won more battles” and stayed with their game plan longer.
Dallas is currently 1-3-1 in their last five, and while they have the talent to turn it around, they ran into a buzzsaw on Sunday. The Stars’ top lines were guilty of uncharacteristic mistakes while “pressing” to find offense, something that the Tampa Bay Lightning exploited perfectly.
Conclusion: Can Anyone Stop the Bolts?
The Tampa Bay Lightning are currently playing a brand of hockey that is both disciplined and explosive. With a 12-0-1 record over their last 13 games, they have climbed the standings and look like true Stanley Cup contenders once again. Whether it’s elite goaltending, timely scoring from depth players, or the leadership of stars like Kucherov and Guentzel, everything is clicking for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
As they head into their next matchup, the question isn’t just if they can keep the streak alive—it’s how high this ceiling actually goes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How long is the current Tampa Bay Lightning point streak?
As of January 19, 2026, the Tampa Bay Lightning have earned at least one point in 13 consecutive games, posting a record of 12-0-1 during that span.
2. Who scored for the Lightning against the Stars?
Goals were scored by Dominic James, Brandon Hagel, Jake Guentzel, and an empty-netter by Pontus Holmberg.
3. What milestone did Andrei Vasilevskiy reach in this game?
Vasilevskiy earned his 20th win of the season, making him the second goalie in the league to reach the mark this year. It is also his 10th straight season with 20+ wins.
4. Who leads the Lightning in scoring during this streak?
While several players have contributed, Jake Guentzel and Nikita Kucherov have been the primary offensive drivers for the Tampa Bay Lightning during this run.
5. What is the Dallas Stars’ record over their last 11 games?
The Stars have struggled recently, posting a 2-6-3 record since the Christmas break.
Would you like me to look up the Lightning’s next opponent to see if they can extend the streak to 14?
