Tampa Bay Lightning Scripts Historic Comeback in NHL Outdoor Classic
The Tampa Bay Lightning etched their name in National Hockey League history books with one of the most remarkable comebacks ever witnessed, overcoming a four-goal deficit to stun the Boston Bruins 6-5 in a thrilling shootout victory. This dramatic encounter unfolded during the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series on Sunday night, marking the Lightning's inaugural outdoor game in franchise history.
Record-Breaking Crowd Witnesses Instant Classic
In front of a record-breaking audience at Raymond James Stadium, the Lightning transformed what appeared to be a certain blowout loss into an instant classic. Trailing 5-1 in the second period, Tampa Bay's prospects looked bleak. However, fueled by an extraordinary four-point performance from star forward Nikita Kucherov and a blisteringly effective power play unit, the Lightning mounted an unprecedented rally.
From Dominance to Disaster: The Game's Dramatic Shift
The tone was set remarkably early when Tampa Bay's Brandon Hagel scored just 11 seconds into the contest, registering the fastest opening goal in NHL outdoor game history. The Bruins responded with authority, scoring five consecutive goals through Alex Steeves, Morgan Geekie (twice), Viktor Arvidsson, and Matthew Poitras. Capitalizing on turnovers and superior special teams play, Boston established what seemed like an insurmountable 5-1 lead.
The momentum shifted dramatically when the Lightning scored two goals within a mere 23-second span during a 5-on-3 power play opportunity. Defenseman Darren Raddysh and forward Nick Paul found the net, suddenly cutting Boston's lead to just one goal. These rapid-fire scores visibly rattled the Bruins, who struggled to regain composure as penalties continued to accumulate.
Kucherov's Magical Night Completes the Comeback
The comeback reached its crescendo in the third period when Nikita Kucherov blasted a one-timer from the right circle to tie the game at 5-5. Kucherov's goal capped off a magical individual performance where he recorded one goal and three assists, controlling virtually every pivotal play for Tampa Bay. His leadership and skill were instrumental in orchestrating the historic turnaround.
Shootout Drama Seals Historic Victory
While both teams created scoring chances throughout the night, the overtime period failed to produce a winner, setting the stage for an electrifying shootout. Jake Guentzel, who finished with one goal and two assists in regulation, emerged as the shootout hero, scoring the lone goal. Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy stood tall, shutting the door on Boston's attempts to secure the monumental victory.
This remarkable achievement represents the biggest comeback in NHL outdoor game history and marks the first time the Lightning franchise has overcome a four-goal deficit to win a game. The Bruins' downfall was largely self-inflicted, as they took 11 penalties and allowed three power-play goals—a combination that proved fatal despite their early dominance.
