Lightning Strikes Twice: Tampa Bay’s Unprecedented 4-Goal Rally Shocks Bruins in NHL Stadium Series

In an exhilarating NHL Stadium Series game at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium, Nikita Kucherov netted the equalizer in the third period, and Jake Guentzel scored the decisive goal in the shootout, propelling the Tampa Bay Lightning to a dramatic 6-5 victory over the Boston Bruins. This thrilling match unfolded before an enthusiastic crowd of 64,617 fans.

This incredible comeback, where Tampa Bay overturned a four-goal deficit, marks both the largest comeback in the history of NHL outdoor games and the most remarkable in the franchise’s own history.

Kucherov shone with one goal and three assists. Meanwhile, Brandon Hagel contributed a goal and two assists. Oliver Bjorkstrand, Darren Raddysh, and Nick Paul each added power-play goals, igniting Tampa Bay’s rally after trailing 5-1 in the second period.

In goal, Andrei Vasilevskiy was solid, making 29 saves to secure the win.

For the Bruins, Morgan Geekie stood out with two goals and an assist. Viktor Arvidsson, Alex Steeves, and Matthew Poitras also found the back of the net, contributing to Boston’s recent 10-1-2 stretch over their last 13 games. Charlie McAvoy added two assists, and Jeremy Swayman was busy in net, stopping 41 shots.

Kucherov completed Tampa Bay’s comeback with a one-timer from the left circle with 8:10 left in the third period.

The game featured the first goalie fight in outdoor game history when Vasilevskiy and Swayman exchanged blows at center ice in the second period. The Lightning pointed to the goalie fight as a spark to their comeback when they were down 5-2.

“That was a game-changing moment for our team, and that’s what we needed,’’ Guentzel said. “That was definitely cool to watch.’’

The Bruins thought they won it in overtime when David Pastrnak’s goal was negated by a penalty. Pastrnak, who was celebrating his goal at 4:38 of overtime, was called for slashing J.J. Moser and the score was waved off.

Pastrnak was upset and confused by the call by referee Jon McIsaac

“I have no clue what happened, honestly,” he said. “It’s a freaking turnover. We got a 2-on-1. The referee has an arm up and is letting it go. Sway is going to the bench. We finish the play, score a goal, and all of a sudden, I’m in the penalty box. So, (it’s a) joke. I don’t understand. I’ve never seen something like that.”

With an opening puck drop temperature of 41.8 degrees Fahrenheit (5.44 Celsius), Hagel fired up the crowd with a goal just 11 seconds in — the fastest goal in NHL outdoor game history and tying a franchise history for fastest goal to start a game.

The Bruins scored the next five as Steeves, Geekie and Arvidsson all scored within a span of 7:39 to give Boston a 3-1 lead after the first. Poitras scored on a backhander at 2:22 of the second period while Geekie notched his second of the game at 8:18.

“We came out strong, obviously they scored right away but we got to our game right after,’’ Geekie said.

Bjorkstrand scored at 10:28 to make it 5-2.

The Lightning scored a pair of five-on-three power-play goals 23 seconds apart. Raddysh scored a goal for the fourth consecutive game to set a franchise record for a defenseman. Paul then tapped in a pass from Guentzel to make it 5-4.

“It was the game had everything,’’ Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said. “It had the weather in a state which doesn’t usually get weather like this. It was a phenomenal atmosphere, perfect ice hockey playing conditions. You had goalie fights, you had 11 goals, you had a shootout. It had everything. That one’s going to go in the memory bank. It was a special occasion.’’

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Up next

Bruins: At Florida on Wednesday night.

Lightning: Host Buffalo on Tuesday night.