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As winter settles in, the NHL action is heating up with marquee matchups that promise to keep fans on the edge of their seats. January 18, 2026, brings us three tantalizing showdowns, each with its own storyline and stakes. Our GameSim predictions are here to guide you through the ice-cold excitement.
The Tampa Bay Lightning take on the Dallas Stars in what could be a clash of titans. The Stars are slight favorites with a 53% win probability, according to our simulations. With home ice advantage, Dallas looks to capitalize on their recent form, led by Mikko Rantanen and Wyatt Johnston. Rantanen is projected to notch 1.0 points, while Johnston is expected to add 0.8 points to the Stars’ tally.
Meanwhile, the Lightning aren’t just skating by without a fight. Nikita Kucherov and Jake Guentzel are anticipated to keep the Dallas defense on their toes, combining for 2.3 points. The Vegas spread of 1.5 and an over/under of 6.5 suggest a closely contested match, but if Dallas executes their game plan, they might just edge out Tampa Bay in a nail-biter.
Over in Detroit, the Ottawa Senators are bracing for a battle against the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings are expected to fly high with a 57% chance of victory, according to our model. Spearheading the charge is Moritz Seider, projected for 1.2 points, alongside Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond, who are both poised to make significant contributions.
For the Senators, Tim Stutzle and Jake Sanderson will need to bring their A-game to keep Ottawa competitive. Stutzle’s projected 1.1 points will be crucial if Ottawa is to upset the odds. With the Red Wings’ offensive arsenal, Ottawa’s defense will need to be at its best to contain the Detroit surge.
Finally, the St. Louis Blues are set to face off against the Edmonton Oilers, where the Oilers are favored with a 55% win probability. The dynamic Connor McDavid is once again expected to be the star of the show, with 1.2 points projected. Supporting him is Evan Bouchard, who is slated to contribute 0.9 points from the blue line.
The Blues, on the other hand, will rely heavily on Jordan Kyrou and Brayden Schenn to counter the Oilers' attack. Despite being underdogs, St. Louis has the firepower to pull off an upset if they can exploit any defensive lapses by Edmonton.
These matchups are more than just games; they are a spectacle of skill, strategy, and endurance. For those who crave more in-depth analysis, our GameSim+ subscribers have access to detailed projected player stats and insights. If you haven't yet joined, head over to GameSim+ to elevate your game day experience.
