Lightning Shock Bruins with Historic Four-Goal Comeback in NHL Stadium Series
The Tampa Bay Lightning achieved a historic four-goal comeback, defeating the Boston Bruins 6-5 in a thrilling NHL Stadium Series game. The matchup took place at Raymond James Stadium, attracting an impressive crowd of 64,617 fans.
Historic Comeback Achieved by Lightning
This comeback marks the largest in NHL outdoor game history and stands as the biggest comeback victory for the Lightning franchise. Key players played pivotal roles in this victory.
Key Players and Contributions
- Nikita Kucherov: He scored the tying goal and provided three assists.
- Jake Guentzel: He netted the only goal in the shootout.
- Brandon Hagel: He recorded one goal and two assists.
- Oliver Bjorkstrand, Darren Raddysh, and Nick Paul: All scored on power plays after trailing 5-1.
Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy made 29 saves, while Bruins’ Morgan Geekie stood out with two goals and three points.
Game Highlights
The game featured notable incidents, including the first-ever goalie fight in outdoor game history. Vasilevskiy and Bruins’ Jeremy Swayman engaged in a fight that galvanized the Lightning as they fought back from a 5-2 deficit.
Moreover, the Lightning’s comeback advanced when Kucherov scored a crucial one-timer with just over eight minutes remaining in the third period. The game also saw the Bruins initially celebrate what they believed was a winning goal by David Pastrnak in overtime, only for it to be nullified due to a slashing penalty against him.
Fastest Goal and Scoring Ramps Up
The game’s atmosphere was electric, highlighted by Hagel’s goal just 11 seconds in. This record-setting goal is the fastest in NHL outdoor game history and also ties the franchise record for the quickest goal to start a match.
Following Hagel’s score, the Bruins retaliated, with Alex Steeves, Morgan Geekie, and Viktor Arvidsson scoring quickly and establishing a commanding 5-1 lead by the second period.
Impactful Coaching and Atmosphere
Lightning head coach Jon Cooper reflected on the game, calling it a special occasion filled with excitement and unpredictable moments. He noted the unusual weather conditions and the overall thrilling atmosphere, which played a significant role in the players’ performance on the ice.
As the season progresses, the Lightning will look to build on this momentum when they host the Buffalo Sabres next. Meanwhile, the Bruins are set to face the Florida Panthers in their upcoming match.
