Tampa Bay Lightning center Jake Guentzel (59) is congratulated by goaltender Jonas Johansson (31) after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins during a shootout in the 2026 Stadium Series ice hockey game at Raymond James Stadium. Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Lightning make history with comeback win over Bruins in outdoor game

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Feb 2, 2026 12:11 AM ET

The Tampa Bay Lightning's Sunday night win wasn't just a big deal because it was over their division rival, the Boston Bruins, or because it took place outdoors at an NFL stadium; it was a big deal because it made franchise history.

After trailing 5-1 midway through the second period, the Lightning mounted a comeback that would become the largest ever since the inception of the Lightning in 1992 and result in a 6-5 victory in a shootout.

Jake Guentzel became the hero of the night

Guentzel's game-winner in the shootout completed the first successful four-goal comeback for the Lightning. In the past, Tampa had experienced tying games after trailing by four in the past, but failed to finish those comebacks off.

But on Sunday night, the Lightning were not to be denied once they found their footing from the second period on.

Jake Guentzel rips home the shootout winner! #StadiumSeries pic.twitter.com/fI3fTRZ147
— NHL (@NHL) February 2, 2026

First, it was Oliver Bjorkstrand, who made the game 5-2 with 10:28 on the clock in the second. About five minutes later, Darren Raddysh connected for his 16th goal of the season to cut the deficit to just two goals at 15:50.

Then, Nick Paul scored a rare goal — only his sixth of the season — to pull Tampa Bay within one, which is where the game would stay until 11:50 of the third when veteran star winger Nikita Kucherov tied the game.

Now THAT'S how you tie a game ‍ pic.twitter.com/eBnm18w6tI
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 2, 2026

And while Kucherov failed to hammer home another goal on a breakaway in the final minutes of regulation, Tampa Bay held on throughout the overtime session and Guentzel became the only skater to score in the shootout.

Tampa Bay is among the best teams in hockey once again

Of course, Tampa Bay's ability to score in bunches makes them one of the factories to come out of the Eastern Conference and pursue the Lightning's fourth Stanley Cup title.

The victory capped off the pageantry of the event and secured the Lightning's third in a row. At 35-14-4, Tampa Bay sits at the top of the Atlantic Division and is tied with the Carolina Hurricanes for the most (74) points in the Eastern Conference.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

More must-reads: