TAMPA, Fla. — Nikita Kucherov netted the equalizing goal in the third period, while Jake Guentzel scored the sole goal in the shootout, leading the Tampa Bay Lightning to a remarkable comeback from a four-goal deficit to defeat the Boston Bruins 6-5 in front of 64,617 fans at an NHL Stadium Series match held at Raymond James Stadium.
Kucherov wrapped up the game with a goal and three assists, Brandon Hagel contributed with a goal and two assists, and Oliver Bjorkstrand, Darren Raddysh, and Nick Paul all tallied power-play goals after Tampa Bay found themselves trailing 5-1 in the second period.
In goal, Andrei Vasilevskiy made 29 saves.
This comeback from a four-goal deficit marks the largest in NHL outdoor game history as well as the largest comeback in franchise history.
Morgan Geekie shone for the Bruins with two goals and three points, while Viktor Arvidsson, Alex Steeves, and Matthew Poitras also found the net for Boston, who improved to 10-1-2 over their past 13 games. Charlie McAvoy contributed with two assists, and Jeremy Swayman recorded 41 saves.
Kucherov capped Tampa Bay’s comeback with a powerful one-timer from the left circle with 8:10 remaining in the third period.
This game also featured the first-ever goalie fight in outdoor game history, as Vasilevskiy and Swayman engaged in a brawl at center ice during the second period. The Lightning credited the goalie fight as a pivotal moment in their comeback after being down 5-2.
“That was a game-changing moment for our team, and that’s what we needed,” Guentzel remarked. “That was definitely cool to watch.”
With the temperature at puck drop at 41.8 degrees Fahrenheit (5.44 Celsius), Hagel ignited the crowd by scoring just 11 seconds into the game — the fastest goal in NHL outdoor game history, tying a franchise record for the quickest goal to start a match.
The Bruins then struck with five unanswered goals, as Steeves, Geekie, and Arvidsson all scored within 7:39, putting Boston ahead 3-1 after the first period. Poitras added to the tally with a backhander at 2:22 of the second, followed by Geekie scoring his second of the game at 8:18.
“We came out strong; obviously, they scored right away, but we got back to our game right after,” Geekie stated.
Bjorkstrand provided a score at 10:28, narrowing the gap to 5-2.
The Lightning answered back with two five-on-three power-play goals just 23 seconds apart. Raddysh extended his goal streak to four games, setting a franchise record for defensemen, while Paul tapped in a pass from Guentzel to reduce the deficit to 5-4.
“This game had everything,” commented Lightning head coach Jon Cooper. “The weather was unusual for the area, creating a phenomenal atmosphere, perfect conditions for playing hockey. There were goalie fights, 11 goals scored, and a shootout. It truly had it all. This one’s going to stay in the memory bank; it was a special occasion.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
