Bruins-Lightning NHL Stadium Series showdown at Raymond James Stadium

The NHL Stadium Series returns with a unique twist this year, pitting the Boston Bruins against the Tampa Bay Lightning on February 1, 2026, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.[1][2] This outdoor clash coincides with the Gasparilla Pirate Festival, promising a swashbuckling theme that fits the Buccaneers’ home perfectly. Both teams are deep in the playoff hunt, making these “big points” crucial for Atlantic Division positioning.[3]

Introduced in 2014, the Stadium Series has delivered modern flair to outdoor hockey, contrasting the traditional Winter Classic. Last year’s record crowd of 94,751 at Ohio Stadium between Detroit and Columbus set a high bar. This Florida edition marks Tampa’s first outdoor regular-season game, adding intrigue amid surprisingly cold weather forecasts.[4]

Boston Bruins: Surging into the outdoors

The Bruins enter with a solid 32-20-3 record, totaling 67 points and sitting at No. 11 in power rankings. David Pastrnak leads the charge with 22 goals and 47 assists, showcasing his scoring prowess. After a recent win over Philadelphia, Boston wraps January at 11-2-1, tying franchise records for most wins in the month from 1928-29 and 2021-22.

Pastrnak thrives outdoors, netting four goals across three career games—tied for the most all-time with Tyler Toffoli and Mika Zibanejad. Morgan Geekie has emerged as a surprise, matching 30 goals with Jason Robertson, Alex DeBrincat, and Cole Caufield; notably, none are on Olympic rosters. Charlie McAvoy bolsters the blue line with 336 career points in his first nine NHL seasons, ranking fourth among Bruins defensemen behind legends like Bobby Orr and Ray Bourque.

Fraser Minten, acquired in a trade from Toronto last spring for Brandon Carlo plus picks, has 14 rookie goals, tied for third behind Beckett Sennecke and Oliver Kapanen. That deal included a 2025 fourth-rounder and Toronto’s top-5 protected 2026 first-rounder, paying dividends already. Boston’s depth positions them well for the playoff push, but facing Tampa’s hot streak will test their mettle.

Key Bruins to watch:

• David Pastrnak: Elite sniper ready for prime-time outdoors.
• Morgan Geekie: 30-goal breakout tying NHL leaders.
• Charlie McAvoy: Defensive anchor with offensive upside.
• Fraser Minten: Rookie trade gem fueling the attack.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Red-hot favorites

Tampa boasts a 34-14-4 mark, 72 points, and No. 2 power ranking status. Nikita Kucherov dominates with 27 goals and 55 assists, including an NHL-best 31 January points—joining Steven Stamkos and his own prior feats as the only Lightning with 30-point months. The Bolts ride a 16-1-1 heater since December 20, leading the league in goals per game (4.06), goals against (2.29), and differential (+30).

Defenseman Darren Raddysh shines with 15 goals, tying Cale Makar and Evan Bouchard for third among blueliners, while his 47 points set a career high and rank sixth league-wide. Jake Guentzel adds firepower with six multi-point games this month, trailing only elite scorers like Kucherov and Connor McDavid. Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy is unbeatable since December 20 at 13-0-1, posting a 1.68 GAA and .943 save percentage after an injury return.

This streak underscores Tampa’s hosting advantage at Raymond James, where practices have already built excitement. The pirate-themed event amplifies the atmosphere, drawing on local festival vibes. With home ice and form, the Lightning aim to extend their dominance outdoors— their second Stadium Series appearance after a prior win.

Standout Lightning performers:

• Nikita Kucherov: January point king driving the offense.
• Darren Raddysh: Career-best goals and points from the back end.
• Jake Guentzel: Clutch multi-pointer in big moments.
• Andrei Vasilevskiy: Unbeaten streak anchoring the net.

Head-to-head matchups and storylines

Pastrnak versus Kucherov pits two leading scorers in a battle of snipers, with both excelling lately—Pastrnak’s outdoor goals edge and Kuch’s month-long tear. Goaltending duel features Vasilevskiy’s streak against Boston’s tandem, potentially exposing weaknesses if Tampa’s attack overwhelms. McAvoy tangles with Guentzel and Raddysh on the blue line, where mobility and points could swing momentum.

Historical context adds spice: Bruins’ sixth outdoor game, Lightning’s second. Tampa previously won outdoors 3-2, per event previews. Weather in Tampa—colder than expected—evokes McAvoy’s practice déjà vu from rink builds.[5] Playoff implications loom large, as both vie for Atlantic supremacy.

Broadcast details ensure wide access: 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, with full coverage on NHL.com gamecenter.[6] For history and stats, check ESPN’s Stadium Series overview.[7]

Stadium Series legacy and Tampa’s moment

Since 2014, the series has hosted iconic games, evolving outdoor hockey’s spectacle. Venues like Ohio Stadium’s record crowd highlight its draw. Tampa’s entry breaks new ground as the first Florida outdoor regular-season tilt, blending NFL stadium vibes with NHL passion.

Rink builds and early tent removals signal readiness, as seen in timelapses.[8] Phil Esposito, Lightning co-founder, envisions this as a franchise pinnacle. Tickets via Ticketmaster are hot, reflecting hype.

This game elevates the series, tying pirate lore to competitive fire. Fans anticipate bold jerseys and memorable plays.

The February 1 showdown could reshape standings, with Tampa’s streak clashing Boston’s resilience. Expect fireworks under Tampa lights—or stars?—as playoff seeds hang in balance. Whoever prevails gains momentum toward June.