The Tampa Bay Lightning pulled off one of the most remarkable turnarounds in NHL history, rallying from a 5-1 deficit to beat the Boston Bruins 6-5 in a shootout during the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series at Raymond James Stadium.[1] In front of a crowd of 64,617, the Lightning etched their name in the record books with the largest comeback in NHL outdoor game history and the biggest in franchise annals. Nikita Kucherov tied the game late in the third, and Jake Guentzel sealed the victory in the shootout.
This outdoor clash in Tampa delivered non-stop action, from a record goal just 11 seconds in to the first-ever goalie fight in an NHL outdoor game. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 29 saves, while Jeremy Swayman stopped 41 shots for Boston in defeat.[2]
Record start sets the tone
Brandon Hagel ignited the massive crowd at Raymond James Stadium by scoring just 11 seconds into the game, the fastest goal in NHL outdoor history and tying a Lightning franchise mark for quickest to open a contest.[3] The temperature at puck drop hovered around 41.8 degrees Fahrenheit, perfect conditions for hockey under the open sky. Hagel’s wrist shot beat Swayman cleanly, sending Tampa Bay fans into a frenzy early.
The Lightning carried that momentum briefly, but the Bruins quickly responded. Alex Steeves tied it soon after, capitalizing on a scramble in front. Boston then surged ahead with goals from Morgan Geekie and Viktor Arvidsson within minutes, building a 3-1 lead by the end of the first period.
Hagel’s early strike showcased Tampa Bay’s speed and precision on the rush. It was a statement to the historic venue, home to the NFL’s Buccaneers, now transformed into a hockey mecca. The quick goal set a high-energy pace that defined the night.
This opening burst highlighted both teams’ playoff aspirations. The Lightning, playing their second outdoor game ever, aimed to make it memorable at home. Boston, no strangers to big stages with five prior outdoor appearances, looked poised to dominate.[4]
Bruins build commanding lead
The second period saw Boston explode for three more goals, pushing the deficit to 5-1. Matthew Poitras opened the scoring with a slick backhand at 2:22, followed by Geekie’s second tally at 8:18.[5] Geekie finished with two goals and three points, tormenting the Lightning defense.
Oliver Bjorkstrand pulled one back for Tampa at 10:28, but it barely dented Boston’s lead. Charlie McAvoy dished two assists, anchoring the Bruins’ attack. Swayman stood tall early, frustrating Tampa Bay’s shooters.
Tensions boiled over midway through the period. After a scrum near the Boston net, Swayman and Vasilevskiy met at center ice for gloves-off fisticuffs—the first goalie fight in outdoor NHL history. Both earned five-minute majors, but the crowd erupted in approval.
The fight seemed to spark Tampa Bay. Penalties plagued Boston, leading to power-play chances. Still, at the second intermission, the Bruins held a seemingly insurmountable advantage.
Lightning’s epic rally unfolds
Facing elimination, the Lightning unleashed a barrage of power-play goals. With five-on-three advantages, they scored three times in six minutes: Darren Raddysh, Nick Paul, and another to cut the lead to 5-4.[6] Raddysh extended his goal streak to four games, a franchise record for a defenseman.
Kucherov orchestrated the comeback with a goal and three assists, his one-timer from the left circle at 8:10 of the third tying the score at 5-5. The Amalie Arena crew—now outdoors—fed off the roaring fans.
Hagel added a goal and two assists, pivotal in the surge. Tampa Bay’s power play clicked at crucial moments, exploiting Bruins’ discipline lapses. Vasilevskiy locked down after the early onslaught.
This rally marked the first time the Lightning overcame a four-goal hole to win. It capped a wild period bookended by Hagel’s opener and Kucherov’s equalizer.[7]
The momentum shift was palpable. Boston, guilty of too many penalties, watched their lead evaporate. Tampa Bay’s resilience shone through adversity.
Goalie fight steals the show
The Vasilevskiy-Swayman bout at center ice became the night’s viral moment. Triggered by a scrum after a Lightning power play, Swayman skated out to challenge, and Vasilevskiy answered.[5] They traded punches briefly before officials intervened, with Vasilevskiy taking Swayman down.
Swayman earned his first career fight, while Vasilevskiy added to his reputation for standing up for teammates. Fans chanted wildly at the Raymond James spectacle. It was the second goalie fight of the season, both in Florida.[8]
Post-fight, the goalies shared a laugh in the handshake line, showing respect. The scrap energized Tampa Bay heading into their power-play explosion. Swayman still made 41 saves, a Herculean effort in defeat.
This historic tilt added lore to NHL outdoor games, previously fight-free. It underscored the passion of both netminders.
Shootout decides classic
Overtime solved nothing, leading to the shootout. Guentzel deked Swayman for the winner, while Vasilevskiy denied Boston’s shooters, including David Pastrnak.[2] Tampa Bay’s stars delivered when it mattered most.
Kucherov’s four points paced the victors. Boston’s Geekie shone, but penalties proved costly. The ESPN game summary captures the drama.
Both teams arrived in themed outfits—Bruins as colonial patriots, Lightning in Buccaneers creamsicle—heightening the festive vibe.[9]
This victory boosts Tampa Bay’s playoff push, while Boston regroups. For more on the recap, check the NHL.com game story.[10]
The Stadium Series delivered a masterpiece, blending records, fights, and heroics. It reaffirms outdoor hockey’s magic and sets the stage for intense Atlantic Division battles ahead. Lightning fans will savor this one for years.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.