In Tampa, Florida, the NHL Stadium Series unfolded as the Tampa Bay Lightning edged out the Boston Bruins in a thrilling 6-5 victory, orchestrated by a remarkable comeback from a four-goal deficit. Nikita Kucherov played a pivotal role, scoring the tying goal in the third period and assisting three times overall, while Jake Guentzel’s shootout-winning goal sealed the win before a crowd of over 64,600 fans at Raymond James Stadium.
The Lightning’s resilience shone through as they overcame a 5-1 disadvantage in the second period, with goals from Brandon Hagel—who opened the scoring in a record 11 seconds—Oliver Bjorkstrand, Darren Radish, and Nick Paul on the power play. Tampa Bay’s comeback set a new record for the largest by a team in an outdoor NHL game and also marked the biggest rally in franchise history. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy contributed with 29 saves, helping the team withstand Boston’s early dominance.
Boston’s Morgan Geekie led the offense with two goals and three points, while Viktor Arvidsson, Alex Steeves, and Matthew Poitras also found the net, boosting the Bruins’ recent run to 10 wins in their last 13 games. Charlie McAvoy aided with two assists, and Jeremy Swayman made 41 saves in a spirited effort. Kucherov’s decisive goal came on a one-timer from the left circle with just over eight minutes remaining, sealing the epic comeback.
A highlight of the game was the first-ever outdoor matchup of goaltenders, featuring Vasilevskiy and Swayman engaging in a rare center-ice fight during the second period—their spirited exchange symbolized the high energy and intensity of the event. The game’s momentum shifted notably when Swayman’s exceptional performance prevented Tampa Bay’s early chances, serving as a catalyst for their late charge.
The game also delivered a historic moment with Hagel’s rapid-fire goal just 11 seconds into the match, setting an NHL outdoor record and tying the Lightning franchise record for the fastest start. Boston responded strongly, scoring five goals within a span of about eight minutes early in the second period, pulling ahead 5-1 before Tampa Bay mounted their spectacular comeback. The final stages saw the Lightning score twice on brief 5-on-3 power plays, with Radish extending his franchise record streak of goals by defensemen, and Paul tying the game at 5-5 in the final minutes. Head coach Jon Cooper praised the game’s variety and unique atmosphere, calling it a memorable event filled with stellar goaltending, offensive fireworks, and challenging weather conditions that made the ice perfect for hockey’s outdoor spectacle.
Looking ahead, the Bruins will face Florida on Wednesday, while the Lightning will host Buffalo on Tuesday, keeping fans excited for the upcoming contests.
Fan Take: This game was a perfect showcase of the unpredictable, thrilling nature of outdoor hockey—moments that make fans fall in love with the sport all over again. It’s games like these that remind everyone why hockey continues to captivate audiences and grow as a dramatic and dynamic sport.
